The two key pillars of Carlton’s on-field planning - Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow – have told the club they will be staying at Princes Park.

Cripps will commit for a further two years until the end of 2021, while Curnow has agreed to a four-year extension (until the end of 2023), meaning that the next time they are out of contract, the pair will be free agents.

Charlie Curnow is seen as a key to Carlton's future. Credit:AAP

Both players’ management groups are in deep discussions with the club and both contracts are likely to be announced before the end of the season.

The move is a significant show of faith for coach Brendon Bolton, given that both were already contracted until the end of 2019.