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Charlie Constable

Sydney Pennski
Sydney Pennski
in Melbourne Demons

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Charlie Constable is one who really has me stumped. He was an All Australian Under 18, a tall midfielder who had a terrific start in 2019. Played in a big game in Round 1 for Geelong vs Collingwood with a win on the G. For his round 2 performance he had 31 disposals and a goal in the Cats’ 80 point smashing of the Dees at GMHBA Stadium. That effort earned him a nomination for the 2019 AFL Rising Star award.

From there, his career went backwards and after a 12 game career at the age of 22, he’s been delisted from a club that’s starving for youth. He’s been outstanding at VFL level with big possession games averaging more than 30 disposals a game and getting more than 40 in consecutive games. What’s wrong with him?

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    1 minute ago, Sydney Pennski said:

    What’s wrong with him?

    At 22 years of age, he clearly lacked the maturity to play for the Cats.

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    can't kick or run, essentially not useless but a liability once the ball exits the stoppage, would only really be able to play like a traditional doesn't-leave-the-centre-square centreman roll where he dishes off to running HBs and transitioning players by hand

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    Yes it’s a bizarre decision by the Cats but they haven’t developed him so their loss. He should get an AFL lifeline but cannot be guaranteed due to tight list spots.  If we didn’t grab Dunstan, then he might have been in a conversation. But he’s not required by the Dees.  Ideally probably should go to the filthy Pies on the rebuild.  

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    Leg speed/endurance appears to be an issue.

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    4 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

    Ideally probably should go to the filthy Pies on the rebuild.  

    Great suggestion.  Collingwood has had lots of experience of dealing with Constables.

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    But building a tank to run is the clubs job in development, same with kicking issues.  But Scott has his idea of the team and its hard to break into hence their old age.

     

     

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    Just now, Darkhorse72 said:

    But building a tank to run is the clubs job in development, same with kicking issues.  But Scott has his idea of the team and its hard to break into hence their old age.

    It's both. If a player is a poor runner then their flexibility is really limited. You basically need to be a top level ball winning inside midfielder because there aren't any other roles for you .... and that's where the best players are already. Basically you need to be so unbelievably good that you can play a role where speed is less important. Even Dunstan, who is a far superior footballer of that type to Constable, struggled for a regular place at St Kilda because he needed to be better than Steele, Crouch, Hannebury etc to get a spot. Zac Jones, on the other hand, gets a game regardless because there are rules for him even if he doesn't play in the centre square.

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    The Cats have been a strong side for a long time now and this is one of its legacies. We shouldn’t forget that on this weekend exactly 12 months ago they became the red hot favourites to win the flag after handing out a 40 point flogging to Brisbane at the Gabba. Players like Constable weren’t getting a look in and the club’s response to their eventual grand final defeat was to go to the marketplace and pick up three more experienced players. They became fat cats and neglected their young blood and now the likes of Clark, Constable, Fort and a few others have gone. Sure, the knock on Constable might be his tank but you need to ask why that’s a problem after four years when the bloke has the ability to get his hands on the footy. Anyway, the Cats don’t believe that coaching or the game plan is the issue because they’ve extended Scott’s contract.

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    15 hours ago, Sydney Pennski said:

    Charlie Constable is one who really has me stumped. He was an All Australian Under 18, a tall midfielder who had a terrific start in 2019. Played in a big game in Round 1 for Geelong vs Collingwood with a win on the G. For his round 2 performance he had 31 disposals and a goal in the Cats’ 80 point smashing of the Dees at GMHBA Stadium. That effort earned him a nomination for the 2019 AFL Rising Star award.

    From there, his career went backwards and after a 12 game career at the age of 22, he’s been delisted from a club that’s starving for youth. He’s been outstanding at VFL level with big possession games averaging more than 30 disposals a game and getting more than 40 in consecutive games. What’s wrong with him?

    D7BF456D-7086-4D88-9A17-69EDA0CD886F.jpeg

    Not old enough to qualify for a GFC pre retirement pension

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    He’s Jordan Gysberts, albeit not as soft. Offers no spread. Skills average. Good vfl standard player.

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    Max Holmes played a lot for the Cats, they even tried to make him tag Oliver. Miers, Close, Parfitt, Henry. There’s been a number of young cats come in and play a lot of footy at a young age. 

    Those who haven’t got a consistent chance - notably Narkle and Constable - haven’t had any interest from rival teams in trade weeks.

    Without the GPS numbers clubs get it’s really hard to know just how much of an issue Constable’s running is.

    Personally I think his lack of speed and pressure probably are more of an issue than tank. If it were purely the tank we’d try to Burgo (or new Burgo) him up. Haven’t seen too much wrong with his disposal either, not great but not awful for an inside mid. But unless you’re Paddy Cripps level good at extracting you have to pressure hard at the clearances. 

    If he had a tank he could go to the wing like Brayshaw has. Or if he had tank and speed at 190cm he’d be handy at half forward. But it’s lack of pressure that kills him on ball. 

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    On 10/15/2021 at 4:34 PM, Axis of Bob said:

    It's both. If a player is a poor runner then their flexibility is really limited. You basically need to be a top level ball winning inside midfielder because there aren't any other roles for you .... and that's where the best players are already. Basically you need to be so unbelievably good that you can play a role where speed is less important. Even Dunstan, who is a far superior footballer of that type to Constable, struggled for a regular place at St Kilda because he needed to be better than Steele, Crouch, Hannebury etc to get a spot. Zac Jones, on the other hand, gets a game regardless because there are rules for him even if he doesn't play in the centre square.

    True.  Hence, the way Scott picks pretty much the same team every year.  I also explain that to my junior team I coach (We do rotate positions) but they want to play midfield, I say who are you going to replace in there?  Give them the incentive to improve on their training/effort to overtake a regular in that position. 

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