While it took both portions of Carlton's Coleman Medal-winning duo to kick the Blues to a come-from-behind win at the Gabba on Friday, it was the more maligned half that proved the hero, with Harry McKay's new routine proving the difference.
Both McKay and Curnow combined for seven goals in the one-point thriller, with Carlton kicking 11 of the game's last 14 goals to topple the Lions at their Den for the first time in a decade.
Though Curnow lead the way with four on the night, the reigning Coleman medallist was shaded by his long-term partner, as McKay found front position late, committed to his kick and added the four points to Carlton's carry-on baggage back across the border with a last-minute winner.
A league eading goalkicker in his own right, McKay has proven during his time at Princes Park that he knows where the big sticks are. However, with a previous propensity for complicating the art of the finish, the former top ten pick had earned his reputation for tying himself in knots.
Since taking home the 2021 Coleman Medal, McKay proved to be the Gumpian box of chocolates across his last two campaigns, with Bluebaggers never sure what they were going to get from the now-26-year-old.
In 2022 and 2023 alone, the Warragul native produced 134 scoring shots at an accuracy of 55.22 per cent before goal.
And with ugly patterns emerging in his play last season, this conversion rate dipped to an even 50 per cent in a campaign that ended just shy of a grand final berth.
However, with a ploy of repitition now in play, McKay's woes from yesteryear felt like a distant memory late on Friday night, with the man himself speaking on his newfound confidence.
"Obviously (there was) a bit of adrenaline, a bit of nerves, a bit of excitement, but I went back and did my routine - like I will do with every kick all year - committed to the ball and it went through," McKay told Fox Footy post-game.
"It was a good feeling.
"The big focus over the summer was to have a routine you could committ to and repeat every kick.
"I'm really confident, no matter what the moment is, of being able to go back (and) committ to the routine."
McKay will earn his next opportunity to continue writing his resurgence when his Blues do battle against old rivals Richmond at the MCG on Thursday, March 14.
