“Blink Twice If You’re Being Held Against Your Will” AFL Community Asks Charlie Curnow

JASON BARRY | Victorian Leg Tennis | Contact

The AFL community is watching on with deep concern as a terrifying hostage situation unfolds before their very eyes.

The concern comes as Carlton superstar Charlie Curnow navigates what insiders are calling a “delicate trade situation,” one that sees him living in an all-consuming straight jacket of forced confinement that one typically associates with someone after they’ve been kidnapped.

After Curnow fronted media today without blinking for 15 minutes nor saying any words at all that could help the rest of us decipher whether he’s staying a Blue or not, a concerned reporter whispered to the man, “Blink twice if you’re being held against your will, Charlie.”

The question was picked up on audio by live TV broadcast and later tweeted by one concerned supporter who happens to live in Sydney, apparently summing up the mood of thousands of Sydney-siders, who retweeted the footage in the hope the young man can finally spread his wings (while moving north).

The Advocate spoke with Trevor Russell (46), a man who not only has been a lifelong Swans supporter, but who also appears to have two first names.

He said: “Honestly, I feel for the guy. He’s clearly got ambitions, and all the trading games being played must be exhausting. We just want him to be happy. Somewhere other than Carlton, maybe Sydney.”

Even Carlton fans admit the situation is tense. Sarah Morgan (33), Blues season-ticket holder and another person with that unsettling thing of having two first names, told The Advocate: “We love him, but maybe it’s time? I mean, not like we’re forcing him to stay, right? Right?”

In the meantime, the AFL Twitterverse is abuzz.

Memes, GIFs, and heartfelt pleas abound, with hashtags like #LetCharlieGo now trending, though officially the club maintains that “he’s a Blue for life.”

As the sensitive hostage-like situation continues to unfold, Charlie’s every blink, frown, and post-match smile will continue to be scrutinised for signs of a cry for help.

More to come.