Player Watch #30: Charlie Comben - defender or forward? re-signed until end of 2027

[Heaps of fun]

He won us the game in the third quarter.

 

[Merlin007]

He won us the game in the third quarter.

Manic midfield pressure had a bit to do with it, but yes, Comben was definitely a big part of it

backed himself in when he mattered, great to see

 

[shintemaster]

Would have been tough to back himself in after spilling two he should gobble up - real tough effort. Need to keep remembering how few games he has played back there (or at all).

 

[amaz199]

I know the siren went and all but to get a spoil on that last Melbourne kick was a man possessed.

That shit was remarkable.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Caught some criticism last week for some poor play on Darcy early before recovering but this week showed when we free him up a little he's the weapon as a rebounding defender instead of man marking.

 

[Shazeezal]

Would have been tough to back himself in after spilling two he should gobble up - real tough effort. Need to keep remembering how few games he has played back there (or at all).

I'm backing this kid to be a star - one of the best defenders in the comp, within 3 years.

• Great Interceptor.
• Runs his ar*e off, including when the ball hits the ground.
• Genuine competitor.
• Great size and decent athleticism.

His one on one work will get better and better (it wasn't an accident Clarko played him on Darcy last week).
People banging on that he will never be a good one-on-one backman are just being pessimistic to the point of delusion (perhaps understandable given how poor the last 5 years has been).

He's played 30 games, total. 90 game Charlie is going to be very tough to play on.

 

[blackshadow]

Would have been tough to back himself in after spilling two he should gobble up - real tough effort. Need to keep remembering how few games he has played back there (or at all).

Spot on SM - he's only played about 30 games!

He was immense today! And it was really impressive to see him regroup and dominate after his early mistakes.

 

[Chadwiko]

 

[Yianni]

To recover after those two where he shat the bed was immense.

Also, I think with the 10 goal win we forget that Melbourne really had the better of the third, and Chom's chopouts were the main reason we were able to not only hold them at bay, but extend the lead by a goal.

Totally different cat, but does anyone else think he looks, is built and moves a bit like Carey?

 

[Moti]

To recover after those two where he shat the bed was immense.

Also, I think with the 10 goal win we forget that Melbourne really had the better of the third, and Chom's chopouts were the main reason we were able to not only hold them at bay, but extend the lead by a goal.

Totally different cat, but does anyone else think he looks, is built and moves a bit like Carey?

Said it from day, he is very Duck like


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Chip Scab1]

Argument over. He's a backman.

Might just be. I have been firm on moving him forward but potentially we should wait until he has a bigger run at it down back.

Excellent today outside of the dropped mark in Q2.

 

[scottywiper]

After a stinker of a second term he produced and all time third term. Fair effort.

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

Commentators calling him 'King Charles' in the last quarter lol

 

[tazaa]

Genuinely thought he was gone after that 2nd quarter.
Dropped a soda and then dropped another easy one. Both resulted in goals to Melbourne.

Copped the bronx before half time but then he followed it up with another intercept before the siren and it seemed his confidence was back.

But that 3rd quarter. It was laughable. Like an in game cheat code how many times he cut off Melbournes attacks.
He was everywhere, clunking everything.

Thats his game. Free him up to mop up everything that comes his way. I am really impressed with his attitude to not let hiis mistakes get to him. And then he comes out after half time and does that.

So happy for him and I hope he can build on this for another massive year.

 

[Lavy_Panther]

When he’s not forced to play lockdown, he’s a real weapon. Need to free him up like that more often.

 

[Dingster]

Fantastic second half, but I hope Clarko moves Chom to CHF when we're trying to win a game and need to pull that lever.

 

[Sphynx]

When he’s not forced to play lockdown, he’s a real weapon. Need to free him up like that more often.

Yep, said it in preseason.

He’s our Lever/Moore.

We need two stoppers next to him so you can play him loose behind the ball and he will be a multi AA CHB.

Throw the kitchen sink and the 2 x R2 picks at Leek Aleer and we have the hyper athletic partner for him + W.Dawson as the monster FB and Whitlock the hybrid defender.

Jacob Weitering would be the A+++ partner fit for him if gettable.

 

[Themanbun]

If we can play a defensive spare, it's him.

If we can't, swing him forward.

 

[Chip Scab1]

If we can play a defensive spare, it's him.

If we can't, swing him forward.

This is it.

Probably simplify it further to play him back for those teams who bomb it in long and forward for those teams who consistently hit targets.

 

[BlueandWhiteinmyBlood]

Caught some criticism last week for some poor play on Darcy early before recovering but this week showed when we free him up a little he's the weapon as a rebounding defender instead of man marking.

I was critical of his game too to be honest last week but then my best mate who is also north and sits with me at every game, pointed out Darcy only kicked one goal, he kicked 4 on Moore, could of kicked 8. In hindsight was his game as bad as we thought it was? And like I said previously he just unfortunately fell into the camp of being the only person we had on the list that resembled a match up for Darcy, had Darcy not played I’m sure we would have seen a game similar to yesterday, when he can play to his strengths.

 

[roo blitz]

Too much of a liability to be in the backline. Gives far too many easy goals away from dropped marks. Despite having lots of injuries he has been on the list for long enough now not too improve.

I made this comment at half time and I stand by it. At that stage his career was as I said. In the last 2 qtrs he showed what it could become. Its over to you now Charlie to see which way it goes. I hope its the latter but its impressive that he didnt sulk and turned his game around yesterday in the last 2 qtrs. Long may that be the new Charlie.

 

[backtothedraft]

Its up to the coaches to manufacture that role for him as much as possible this year. He needs to continue to work on his one on one craft, decision making and execution with ball in hand, but yesterdays second half showed that he's clearly worth pursuing with as a defender.

 

[Only Forwards]

I am really impressed with his attitude to not let hiis mistakes get to him.

His heart is undeniable.

I am sure they all hurt when we have lost but Charlie wears it on his sleeve.

 

[William Caresser]

LDU ran over to him after he dropped a high mark in the second and looked to be encouraging him to keep going for his marks. Good leadership.

 

[TruRoo]

Was ready to write him off after the second dropped mark. Great response.

Temper it slightly as he won't be matched up a thoroughly uncompetitive Melbourne forwardline each week, but hope this is the confidence builder.