Swans plan to ‘quieten Wharfie Time’ as star details Curnow impact
In November 2020, an 18-year-old Logan McDonald packed his bags, took a flight from Perth to Sydney, and joined Lance Franklin at the Swans. He was “in absolute awe” of the AFL legend.
Six years on, the former No.4 draft pick is sharing a forward line with another superstar spearhead, three-time Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow, as the Swans chase a grand final berth.
Logan McDonald celebrates with Charlie Curnow. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
“I’ve been very fortunate to play with two of the best forwards ever,” McDonald said ahead of Sydney’s preliminary final against Fremantle at the SCG on Friday night.
“Obviously, when I came in very young with Bud, I was in absolute awe of him and just looked up to him with everything he could do.
“His training standards were as good as I’ve ever seen. He trained so hard, and even though his body probably didn’t allow him to at times, he didn’t let a moment go to waste. I was very lucky to sort of sit back my first couple of years and watch.”
As for Curnow?
“I’m so grateful that the club got him,” McDonald said.
“He’s such a good person. We’ve obviously seen what he can do on the field, but the way he’s helped my development and tried to put me in positions to succeed has really helped bring the best out of me.
“I’m happy that he’s had the year that he’s had because he deserves every bit of it.”
Curnow draws the opposition’s best key defender every week. At the SCG on Friday night, he’ll be rumbling with Fremantle captain Alex Pearce.
Having a superstar key forward of Curnow’s ilk roaming around allows McDonald to thrive as second fiddle. In that role in Sydney’s thumping qualifying final win over Brisbane, he booted a career-high six goals.
“I keep trying to tell everyone how good Charlie is because all the attention goes to him,” McDonald laughed.
“I think we’re obviously going to be a better team, and I’m going to be a better player, sitting alongside him.
“He makes us all walk taller. I’ve run out of words to describe him. He’s been awesome for me and the club.”
Sydney superstar Charlie Curnow. Getty Images
McDonald joked that Sydney would have to keep Fremantle’s ‘Wharfie Time’ craze at bay.
Fortunately for Sydney, Wharfie Time – a quirky activation strategically used in tight games where a boat smashes through huge waves on the big screen after the sound of a deep gong and the intro to AC/DC’s Hells Bells – happens at Optus Stadium and nowhere else.
It could be said, however, that Wharfie Time is also a metaphor for a Freo team at full flight.
“We’ll look to quieten Wharfie Time,” McDonald laughed.
“Hopefully that doesn’t get going in Sydney. Our fans have been great all year. We like to protect our home ground, so we’ll try to make it as hard as we can.”
