ED Curnow believes Carlton will treat the JLT Community Series as a dress rehearsal for the season proper.

The Blues are preparing to host Essendon at Ikon Park this Thursday, exactly three weeks before the 2019 opener against Richmond.

And with the countdown well and truly on for Round 1, Curnow said there was no time to waste — particularly with games against external opposition.

“For us, we’re only a couple of games away from Round 1,” Curnow told 3AW Sportsday.

“I know we’re going to be heading into it with every intention to perform and get our best side organised. Guys will be competing for spots which will create a lot of competition.”

Curnow will also have the chance to grow into the new role which he has dedicated a lot of his summer towards.

While expecting to still feature prominently in the midfield, the leader said the ability to spend time in the forward line would be beneficial for both him and his younger teammates.

“Our club has a lot of exciting talent which has been drafted into the midfield. We’re starting to get a good mix of midfielder, so for myself it’s really exciting,” he said.

“Matthew Kennedy and Will Setterfield are big bodies that are developing and have had good pre-seasons alongside ‘Crippa’. Then you throw guys like Zac Fisher, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Paddy Dow and Sam Walsh into the mix.”

That new lease on life further up the ground will bring the older Curnow closer to his younger brother — something he’s looking forward to seeing unfold.

Ed Curnow is looking forward to working closer with brother Charlie Curnow in 2019. (Photo: Carlton Media)

“I’ve got the opportunity to play closer to Charlie and even learn from him, as well as trying to use the strengths I had in the midfield up forward,” he said.

“Hopefully it’ll put a few more years on my career as well, that’d be nice.”

Last week against Hawthorn, Carlton and its supporters got the first-look at its three-pronged forward line featuring Charlie, Mitch McGovern and Harry McKay.

The 29-year-old said he was optimistic of what the trio could achieve when they get some valuable game-time under their belts as a collective.

“Those three can really work together and have other teams on the ropes. Individually they’re great talents and if they can jell and work together, they could put some real pressure on the opposition,” he said.

“It’s going to be a potent mix and we’ve got to make sure as small, crumbing forwards that we can put the pressure on and lock the ball down there.”