Melbourne great Garry Lyon has backed Blues youngster Charlie Curnow to continue his work rate in developing forward strengths following Carlton's loss Collingwood in round eight.

Curnow put in a strong performance against the Pies but has battled injuries and form issues throughout his career, with Lyon backing the 22-year-old to put more effort into his time forward.

โ€œ(Curnow should) study forward line play like you would if you were studying for a law exam,โ€ Lyon toldย SEN Breakfast.

โ€œI see it as an area for improvement, but I also see a magnificent canvas to work with. He could be something pretty spectacular.โ€

Lyon added that Curnow still needs more time to develop before taking on tougher criticism.

โ€œI still think heโ€™s young, heโ€™s still learning,โ€ he said.

โ€œDarcy Moore, who Iโ€™m all-in on, Curnow got the better of him on a couple of occasions which says to me that heโ€™s got everything you need.

โ€œHeโ€™s just got to add a few tricks and get something that becomes his stock and trade.โ€