Veteran Carlton Blues midfielder has opened up on his hopes that the club will be a contender in 2023.

The now 33-year-old, failed to take to the field during 2022 after suffering multiple injuries, signed a one-year deal to remain at IKON Park during 2023, although this could be his final campaign in the AFL.

The Blues, with Curnow being forced to watch on, finished ninth on the premiership table at the end of the 2022 season, missing the top eight by a matter of 0.6 per cent to the Western Bulldogs, with both sides finishing on a 12 and 10 record for 48 competition points.

A heartbreaking one-point loss to the Collingwood Magpies on the final day of the season, as well as a five-point loss to the Melbourne Demons the week before, ensured the Blues finished the season with four straight losses to bounce out of the finals race.

It would have been the Blues' first finals appearance since 2013, but Curnow told The Age that the 2022 campaign gives the club belief they can be a contender in 2023.

“Every year I've gone into the season with the belief you can achieve and compete and push, and you're aiming to seek out those finals berths – we actually have the evidence we have built from last year's season,” Curnow told the publication.

“That gives us a lot of belief we can really push and be a contender for the 2023 season. That's unbelievably motivating. I want to go out on the best note possible.

“I know no matter what I'll always love my experience at the club, the friendships, there's been so many great people come and go. I want to train as hard as I can and push the group as hard as I can to try and win the flag. That's the desire of a lot of good players at the club – to go out and have a crack and see where it lands.”

The Blues, since their last finals appearance in 2013, finished in 13th, 18th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 16th, 11th and 13th in what has been a hellish period for the club.

Curnow said he is desperate to crack back into the Blues' best 23 for 2023 despite sitting out for a season, with the veteran also keen to play alongside his brother Charlie once again.

“I still really want to play and [am] hungry to compete,” Curnow said.

“I love competing against my teammates, love training, it wasn't like I was mentally ready to move on.

“Mentally, I was very, very keen to be part of the program again. It was whether I could prove physically I was up to it. That's what I'm trying to prove to myself and the team at the moment. I'm really enjoying being normal and train hard and enjoy the grind of pre-season.″⁣

Curnow and the Blues will open their 2023 season against the Richmond Tigers in a clash on Thursday, March 16 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.