Less than 24 hours before Collingwood’s preliminary final against Brisbane, it has emerged that the Magpies are launching an “audacious bid” to lure Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow for 2026.

The two-time Coleman medallist has in recent weeks expressed his interest in exploring a move away from the Blues due to lifestyle factors, albeit without formally requesting a trade.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Collingwood targets Charlie Curnow in audacious 2026 play.

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And while the Swans, Suns and Cats appear as the frontrunners for his services if he were to force his way out of a lucrative contract with the Blues, which runs until 2030, Collingwood have now thrown their hat in the ring, according to 7NEWS Melbourne’s Xander McGuire.

“Well, it doesn’t get much bigger than two of the biggest clubs in the land fighting it out over one of the biggest names in the game,” he said.

“I can tell you that Collingwood is launching an audacious bid to land Charlie Curnow for 2026 and beyond.

“And with Jamie Elliott and Brodie Mihocek potentially on the out, they could have the salary cap and on-field space to do it.

“Now, we know that Charlie wants out of the Blues for lifestyle-related reasons. He wants to live by the beach and get out of the Carlton spotlight, which is why Geelong, Gold Coast and Sydney have been at the top of his list.

“But it hasn’t stopped the Pies from asking the question of him.”

Charlie Curnow wants out of Carlton. Credit: AAP

Curnow is a co-owner of the vodka premix beverage called Barry’s Drink along with Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith and, crucially, star Collingwood brothers Nick and Josh Daicos.

The Magpies are hoping those connections will help to entice the 28-year-old across to his current club’s arch rival.

“Key to their ambition is his relationship with Josh and Nick Daicos, who he’s a business partner with in their alcoholic beverage venture, Barry’s, and of course, that he could be handed the keys to a forward line that is currently contending for premierships,” McGuire said.

“They say you miss 100 per cent of the shots that you don’t take. That’s clearly the Pies’ recruiting mantra.”

Publicly, Carlton have been adamant that Curnow is not available for trade and will be seeing out his contract at Ikon Park.

But the Blues may need to think of contingency plans if their star goalkicker demands a move in the upcoming trade period.

One player who won’t be part of any Curnow trade is Tom Papley, despite the Sydney small forward’s name having been floated as a possible option to satisfy the Blues.

Earlier this month, Papley confirmed his name was raised as a possible option, but said he had no interest in moving.

“My manager rang me just to be wary if something comes out in the media that your name’s going to be thrown around for the Curnow stuff because of previous years,” Papley said on The Early Crow podcast in early September.

Papley’s reference to “previous years” comes from the end of 2019 when he pushed for a trade to Carlton while his father — who has bipolar — battled mental health issues.

Tom Papley has confirmed that his name was raised as a possible trade option for wantaway Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow. Credit: Getty

The Blues have been desperate for a dynamic small forward for many years but the two clubs failed to come to an agreement back then, and the prospect was never raised again.

In 2022, Papley committed to Sydney with a new five-year contract that runs until the end of 2028.

The Swans have since taken steps to make sure Papley is comfortable and happy, and Papley says he is definitely not entertaining a move away from Sydney.

“(My manager) was pretty clear that it’s not the club that wanted to do that, it’s solely on their management, and they’re looking for someone to trade for Curnow,” he said.

“And I was pretty stern with him and said, ‘Man, I’m pretty happy at the Swans.’ But I’m definitely not leaving if Curnow is coming.

“I’d love for it to happen.

“Everyone knows he wants to get out of there and wants to come to the Swans or Gold Coast or wherever. But we’re going to have to give up a fair bit and that comes with you’re going to lose a couple of mates, which is tough as well.

“So, it’s got to work for both parties, and I’m sure we’ll be trying to do anything that we can to get him.”

Meantime Geelong have assured young key forward Shannon Neale that he won’t be part of any trade for Curnow, while Gold Coast have said similar for their precocious talent, Jed Walter.