Not only did the Blues lay down their blind faith onto a man whose ascension into the AFL started out at North Launceston, but Bolton - just like Curnow had - walked through the door at Princes Park on the very same day.

It is with great comfort that Carlton has Curnow in hand to help piece together the puzzle towards the club returning to its halcyon days.

But the 22-year-old admits to feeling more indebted to the hard work Bolton put into the athletic key forward.

"It's hard one because you obviously become close to the coach," Curnow said during an in-store appearance at Balls n Bumpers, along with Carlton teammates Patrick Cripps and Marc Murphy.

"After one day and they're gone. It certainly impacted on me. It's a tough industry and it is what it is."

Curnow said Bolton's positive influence should also never be underestimated.

The ex-rover from George Town had accepted one of the hottest AFL jobs on the back of five straight wins standing in for four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson.

But Bolton was shown the door this year less than four seasons after a ladder decline with a less flattering record of 16 wins in his next 77 games in charge of Carlton.

"The club needed Bolts at the time," Curnow said.

"He came in and helped us a lot. We all were really good friends with him too.

"Look, it was obviously one of those hard ones with things don't go your way.

"But we all think he has put the club in the right position to go forward."

David Teague had coached the second half of the year to much acclaim, winning six from 11 after Bolton could only muster one win in 2019.

Curnow's former forward coach since 2018 was given a ringing endorsement into the head role, but also not without feeling somewhat conflicted over loyalties.

Clarkson re-hired Bolton in the offseason as his senior assistant to Hawthorn - the same role that earned him a promotion to the Blues.

"Teague's been awesome so far," Curnow said. "He's been building relationships with everyone at the club.

"I imagine they will get stronger as the years come.

"Hopefully we can get on the park and show some good performances for him, unlike we did for Bolts."

Bolton has been preoccupied since the axing with his role on the AFL taskforce to push for a Tasmanian team.

Curnow said it's a passion that suits Bolton and would back him to coach the side.

"It would be a great thing for Tasmania," Curnow said.

"It's a great place for football...so I can definitely see it happening. There is really good people down here to see it through."

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