Player Watch #30: Charlie Comben - defender or forward? CC T5 in the AFL for avg.intercept marks p/game - re-signed until end of 2027

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shinboner magic said:
That rebound he created for our go ahead goal was important.
He doesn’t seem to lose many one on ones
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This!

Charged out and took a great contested mark and got the ball moving back in our direction.

Love him, the backline looks decidedly better since he has settled in there
 

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A well spoken and determined young man, it's great to see him get a decent run of games and I hope that continues in the second half of the season.

It would be difficult for North supporters not to be a fan.
 
Extremely well spoken this morning Charlie, represented himself and the club very well.
 
 
disco_cowboy said:
Can you please share the content?
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North Melbourne’s Charlie Comben opens up on losing his mother Vivien and his years of injury pain​

Jay Clark
@ClarkyHeraldSun

5 min read
June 15, 2024 - 4:00PM
News Sport Network

Charlie Comben arrived home last weekend to a bunch of balloons and cupcakes from his neighbours.
They support Carlton, but in the three years since the young Fato family has lived next door to Comben, they have adored him, his bubbly personality and infectious humour from over the fence.
To North Melbourne, he’s been the horribly unlucky, but fast-developing big man who has helped fill a key void in the back half in the youngest team in the competition this season.

But there is also a side to the 199cm backman from Sale, who tragically lost his mum as a 19-year-old and has broken 23 bones in his body, that not only makes him one of the most popular people on his street, but also a heartbeat of his footy team.
In some of the darkest days at North Melbourne this year, it has been the ever-smiling key defender who has been the one to find the light, generate some humour, and lift the spirits of the team when it has been flat on its back this year.
And when he crosses the white line on the weekend, the man who hadn’t spent a minute of his life in the backline before this year and came off a severe ankle injury, is as competitive as they come.
Charlie Comben flies for a mark playing for Gippsland Power.

Charlie Comben flies for a mark playing for Gippsland Power.
Comben marks against Gold Coast. Picture: Michael Klein

Comben marks against Gold Coast. Picture: Michael Klein
So when they finally got the four points for the first time of the season last weekend, guess who was plonked next to matchwinner Jy Simpkin slapping his thigh, ruffling his hair and giving him a big hug in the rooms in the post-match team meeting?
It was the big fella from Sale. Generating the joy and bringing the love once again.
“There were a few clips of me celebrating pretty hard after the siren, but I’m a pretty open person like that. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I just felt complete elation after the siren went,” Comben said.

“I was ecstatic with the win, and just to see some of the younger boys like Jackson Archer, George Wardlaw and Toby Pink get their first win after so much footy, I was just so happy to see them get that enjoyment.
“You couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces, and that was hours after the game.
“To get a win like that really does solidify the belief. Especially on the road and to come from behind.
“It shows we are on the right track.”

It has been tough going for the Roos this year, as they doggedly pursue the development path knowing each week will bring a collection of ups and downs, and not necessarily always in that order.
Last Saturday’s nailbiting win over the Eagles was Comben’s third from 18 AFL matches.
And against reigning premier Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, the challenge is a steep one.
But Comben has come as far as any young player in the game over the past three months considering his extraordinary injury history and personal loss.
Charlie Comben consoles Jackson Archer after a loss. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben consoles Jackson Archer after a loss. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
As a junior, Comben snapped his wrist, shattered his collarbone, cracked his cheekbone, broke his leg and chipped his knee.
Then, after he was drafted with pick 31 in 2019, there was a broken back (in 2020), the shattered collarbone (2021), and last year in perhaps the most cruel and painful blow, he snapped his leg and his ankle.
The leg injury was so gruesome broadcasters chose not to replay it as he screamed in agony cradling his dangling lower leg.
It was Round 7 when his year was over. Again. The disappointment crushed him.
Comben has been crazy brave in the air over the journey, and that courage has cost him.
“I probably have thrown myself at contests that I have no right to be in, and it has resulted in me hurting myself at different points,” he said.
“But you have got to be competitive, you have got to be tough and be able to hit body – it’s the modern game.

“But they have all been impact injuries, so in a way, I have just been really unlucky. It has frustrated me that I have been pigeonholed as injury-prone.
“Last year I finally felt like I began to hit my straps and clunk some marks, and play a better brand.
“So to get hurt again at that time — it was really disappointing.
“The next few days were shocking, I was in a big splint, I had to sleep on the couch because I couldn’t get up the stairs to my bedroom, and I was really, really sore.
“It was really depressing, I really struggled, and I thought at that point this could be the end of my career.
“But I had great support around me.”
Charlie Comben clutches at his ankle after being injured last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben clutches at his ankle after being injured last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
He has undergone testing on his bone density which has come up all clear. The bad breaks, the doctors say, have all been just incredibly bad luck.
Subsequent soreness and tendon complications have seen Comben undertake some specialist ballet-style training to strengthen his leg, and consult with one of the country’s top pain researchers to deal with the ongoing after-effects which has tested his patience.
He is the new calf-raise king at North.
But the foot flexion exercises are incredibly tedious, and the resilience he has shown through it all, completing twice-weekly sessions on the reformer has won the admiration of the entire club.
He still deals with some soreness.
But it pales in comparison to the pain of missing his mum. Vivien Carrington, who was a schoolteacher in Sale, was her son’s biggest supporter.
It was late in 2020 that she passed away without warning one night in her sleep because of a heart problem.
“When we found out it was the hardest night of my life,” Comben said.
“I feel like the sad part of it is now she is not around to enjoy the successes of where I am, and I feel a certain bit of guilt that I am not able to enjoy it with her.
“I often think now after I achieve something personally I would just love to send her a text message, and at least share it with her.
“As a teenager growing up, you are probably not the best version of yourself. You are still learning how to behave and act and treat other people.
“She was a single mum, she raised me and my brother from when I was 11 pretty much by herself, and I love my dad too, but he was off working to provide financial support for us.
Charlie Comben is stretchered off during a game last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben is stretchered off during a game last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Charlie Comben and Harry Sheezel after their first win as Roos. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben and Harry Sheezel after their first win as Roos. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Mum was at the coal face with us.
“I would love a bit more time with mum to treat her really well and pay her back for the time she put into us. I want to pay her back for the opportunity she created for us.
“She is why I have kept going. She was with me through all of my injuries and she saw how frustrated I got.
“I’m just so appreciative of what she taught us.”
Vivien would be looking down on her son, as proud as punch of his breakthrough this year in 2024.
For the inner-strength he has shown. And the way he lifts and laughs with others.
But the best times are yet to come. And he loves doing his thing on the field for the Kangas, inspired as always, by his No.1.
His mum.
“It has been a tough year but for me to be able to go out there and live my dream – that opportunity is really important for me,” he said.
‘
I wish they lost’: Premiership Roo’s Harley Reid regret
“Our team and footy club has been through so much turmoil over the past five years. So much instability and hard times.
“When we do turn the corner and we do start winning games, it is going to be so much more enjoyable knowing what we’ve been through.
“It gives you a great perspective on how great winning games of footy is for everyone involved. I really look forward to that.”
 
Last edited:
leighlee13 said:
Jay Clark
@ClarkyHeraldSun

5 min read
June 15, 2024 - 4:00PM
News Sport Network

Charlie Comben arrived home last weekend to a bunch of balloons and cupcakes from his neighbours.
They support Carlton, but in the three years since the young Fato family has lived next door to Comben, they have adored him, his bubbly personality and infectious humour from over the fence.
To North Melbourne, he’s been the horribly unlucky, but fast-developing big man who has helped fill a key void in the back half in the youngest team in the competition this season.

But there is also a side to the 199cm backman from Sale, who tragically lost his mum as a 19-year-old and has broken 23 bones in his body, that not only makes him one of the most popular people on his street, but also a heartbeat of his footy team.
In some of the darkest days at North Melbourne this year, it has been the ever-smiling key defender who has been the one to find the light, generate some humour, and lift the spirits of the team when it has been flat on its back this year.
And when he crosses the white line on the weekend, the man who hadn’t spent a minute of his life in the backline before this year and came off a severe ankle injury, is as competitive as they come.
Charlie Comben flies for a mark playing for Gippsland Power.

Charlie Comben flies for a mark playing for Gippsland Power.
Comben marks against Gold Coast. Picture: Michael Klein

Comben marks against Gold Coast. Picture: Michael Klein
So when they finally got the four points for the first time of the season last weekend, guess who was plonked next to matchwinner Jy Simpkin slapping his thigh, ruffling his hair and giving him a big hug in the rooms in the post-match team meeting?
It was the big fella from Sale. Generating the joy and bringing the love once again.
“There were a few clips of me celebrating pretty hard after the siren, but I’m a pretty open person like that. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I just felt complete elation after the siren went,” Comben said.

“I was ecstatic with the win, and just to see some of the younger boys like Jackson Archer, George Wardlaw and Toby Pink get their first win after so much footy, I was just so happy to see them get that enjoyment.
“You couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces, and that was hours after the game.
“To get a win like that really does solidify the belief. Especially on the road and to come from behind.
“It shows we are on the right track.”

It has been tough going for the Roos this year, as they doggedly pursue the development path knowing each week will bring a collection of ups and downs, and not necessarily always in that order.
Last Saturday’s nailbiting win over the Eagles was Comben’s third from 18 AFL matches.
And against reigning premier Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, the challenge is a steep one.
But Comben has come as far as any young player in the game over the past three months considering his extraordinary injury history and personal loss.
Charlie Comben consoles Jackson Archer after a loss. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben consoles Jackson Archer after a loss. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
As a junior, Comben snapped his wrist, shattered his collarbone, cracked his cheekbone, broke his leg and chipped his knee.
Then, after he was drafted with pick 31 in 2019, there was a broken back (in 2020), the shattered collarbone (2021), and last year in perhaps the most cruel and painful blow, he snapped his leg and his ankle.
The leg injury was so gruesome broadcasters chose not to replay it as he screamed in agony cradling his dangling lower leg.
It was Round 7 when his year was over. Again. The disappointment crushed him.
Comben has been crazy brave in the air over the journey, and that courage has cost him.
“I probably have thrown myself at contests that I have no right to be in, and it has resulted in me hurting myself at different points,” he said.
“But you have got to be competitive, you have got to be tough and be able to hit body – it’s the modern game.

“But they have all been impact injuries, so in a way, I have just been really unlucky. It has frustrated me that I have been pigeonholed as injury-prone.
“Last year I finally felt like I began to hit my straps and clunk some marks, and play a better brand.
“So to get hurt again at that time — it was really disappointing.
“The next few days were shocking, I was in a big splint, I had to sleep on the couch because I couldn’t get up the stairs to my bedroom, and I was really, really sore.
“It was really depressing, I really struggled, and I thought at that point this could be the end of my career.
“But I had great support around me.”
Charlie Comben clutches at his ankle after being injured last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben clutches at his ankle after being injured last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
He has undergone testing on his bone density which has come up all clear. The bad breaks, the doctors say, have all been just incredibly bad luck.
Subsequent soreness and tendon complications have seen Comben undertake some specialist ballet-style training to strengthen his leg, and consult with one of the country’s top pain researchers to deal with the ongoing after-effects which has tested his patience.
He is the new calf-raise king at North.
But the foot flexion exercises are incredibly tedious, and the resilience he has shown through it all, completing twice-weekly sessions on the reformer has won the admiration of the entire club.
He still deals with some soreness.
But it pales in comparison to the pain of missing his mum. Vivien Carrington, who was a schoolteacher in Sale, was her son’s biggest supporter.
It was late in 2020 that she passed away without warning one night in her sleep because of a heart problem.
“When we found out it was the hardest night of my life,” Comben said.
“I feel like the sad part of it is now she is not around to enjoy the successes of where I am, and I feel a certain bit of guilt that I am not able to enjoy it with her.
“I often think now after I achieve something personally I would just love to send her a text message, and at least share it with her.
“As a teenager growing up, you are probably not the best version of yourself. You are still learning how to behave and act and treat other people.
“She was a single mum, she raised me and my brother from when I was 11 pretty much by herself, and I love my dad too, but he was off working to provide financial support for us.
Charlie Comben is stretchered off during a game last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben is stretchered off during a game last year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Charlie Comben and Harry Sheezel after their first win as Roos. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Charlie Comben and Harry Sheezel after their first win as Roos. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
“Mum was at the coal face with us.
“I would love a bit more time with mum to treat her really well and pay her back for the time she put into us. I want to pay her back for the opportunity she created for us.
“She is why I have kept going. She was with me through all of my injuries and she saw how frustrated I got.
“I’m just so appreciative of what she taught us.”
Vivien would be looking down on her son, as proud as punch of his breakthrough this year in 2024.
For the inner-strength he has shown. And the way he lifts and laughs with others.
But the best times are yet to come. And he loves doing his thing on the field for the Kangas, inspired as always, by his No.1.
His mum.
“It has been a tough year but for me to be able to go out there and live my dream – that opportunity is really important for me,” he said.
‘
I wish they lost’: Premiership Roo’s Harley Reid regret
“Our team and footy club has been through so much turmoil over the past five years. So much instability and hard times.
“When we do turn the corner and we do start winning games, it is going to be so much more enjoyable knowing what we’ve been through.
“It gives you a great perspective on how great winning games of footy is for everyone involved. I really look forward to that.”
Click to expand...
He’s such a refreshing honest guy in a world full of a lot of media robots in sport.
 

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FootySmartSimpson said:
I think it’s a four-way tie with Souv, Sheeze, George W and Chom as the most universally liked players in the AFL.
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100%. I get the feeling that if Brynn or Maley get their careers up and running they will become the classic cult heros which every good club has.
 
Good luck to all other clubs prying him out of North. Is a shinboner and the real ones are born into it. Nature vs nurture type stuff.

And the look on the trainers face as Charlie sits in the ground. Says it all really. I honestly thought he'd never play again. Jokes on me.
I must have forgotten he is a shinboner by nature .

Go well big fella.
 
Moti said:
Maybe I am marking him hard but defensively he is struggling. His intercept game is good but he is regularly getting beaten in his one on ones


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
Click to expand...

I think so, not sure why he is finding himself at times manning a much more agile opponent.

I don't think in packs he's in trouble, but on the lead. The difference is Magoo wouldn't put himself in that place.
 

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Player Watch #30: Charlie Comben - defender or forward? CC T5 in the AFL for avg.intercept marks p/game - re-signed until end of 2027

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