Constable keen to put tips to good use
A SUMMER spent playing on the best has helped Charlie Constable pick up some midfield tricks in his bid to lock in a spot in Geelong’s best 22.
The youngster was unsighted for the Cats at AFL level in the second half of last year, despite averaging 21.4 touches a game through his first seven games in the league.
Constable said advice from incoming assistant coach Shaun Grigg and match play on two star teammates helped him take a step forward over the pre-season.
The big-bodied midfielder said he had honed in on his body position at the contest and spreading quickly to the next play.
“I’ve spent the whole preseason playing on Patty (Dangerfield) and Joel (Selwood) predominantly,” he told The Final Bell podcast.
“I probably learned that taking a back shoulder or a spot on their side to really push them under the ball gives me that extra one or two metres where I can start spreading and get on to the ball first.
“Shaun Grigg has come to the club this year and we probably identified for me to get better it’s probably the first three steps away from a contest and really focusing on them. It might not necessarily mean I am running quicker but I’ll get out and find space a bit quicker and if I hold that speed I will get to more contests.
“The other thing is making sure I hit my handballs when I’m under pressure. I think I made some gains in the preseason and hopefully towards the back end of the year if I get a game I can show that off.”
Constable’s strong start to his career included a NAB Rising Star nomination after a 31possession, one-goal effort against Melbourne in Round 2.
But after finding the ball just 11 times against Western Bulldogs in Round 9, he was sent to the VFL and didn’t return despite having no trouble racking up touches.
Constable had to mentally refresh to deal with the disappointment of being dropped and leaned on teammate Sam Menegola for support.
“The first couple of weeks that I got dropped and couldn’t get back in the side, I was battling a little bit and I was I guess frustrated that I wasn’t playing as well as I wanted to in the VFL,” he said.
“I gave Sam Menegola a few calls, who has helped me out a bit because he went through a few similar things in the first part of his career.”
He came out of contract at the end of last season.