Carlton have announced Charlie Curnow’s season is over after it was decided the key forward required “necessary” knee surgery.

The 28-year-old, who has a long history of knee troubles, reported soreness after last Thursday’s loss to Hawthorn.

Curnow was adamant last week that he would not require surgery despite his issues this year.

But the call to go under the knife comes after he missed the start of the 2025 campaign following a knee operation in December last year.

In a statement on Thursday night, Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said Curnow “wanted to finish the season” but the club overruled the key forward.

“We would have loved to have him out there for the remaining games,” Lloyd said.

“After further consultation this week it became clear that this would give Charlie the best chance to get himself right, recover fully over the off-season and be ready for when we return for the start of pre-season.

“Waiting until the end of the season could have impacted that, so we’ve taken the sensible approach.”

Curnow was already expected to miss Carlton’s clash with Fremantle in Perth on Sunday prior to the surgery decision.

Curnow missed two years of football across 2019-21 with knee injuries before he returned to become a dual Coleman medallist.

But his 2025 campaign ends with 32 goals to his name from 18 appearances for a struggling Blues side that has long been out of finals contention.

Curnow recently shut down speculation that he could request a trade, following reports he entertained the idea of moving to the Gold Coast Suns.

“I obviously want to be here,” Curnow said.

“I don’t really want to make this about me right now, but I’m playing at Carlton next year. There you go. Done.”

Curnow is under contract until 2029.

His commitment, should it hold through the trade period, would be a boost with the Blues still uncertain if Tom De Koning will stick fat or take up a monster offer to join St Kilda.

Pundits have also previously suggested Carlton should consider trading Curnow’s partner in crime Harry McKay, who is locked in until 2030, at the end of the season.