Player Watch #30: Charlie Comben - signed til end '27

[andana]

VFL R4 wrap: Comben kicks winner in thrilling finish

North Melbourne's VFL program came out on top in a nail-biting finish against Footscray on Friday afternoon

www.nmfc.com.au

 

[shintemaster]

Yep, and it's not even a matter of just dropping Goldy. He's of an age that a rest every 4-5 weeks can be beneficial. If the Swans can rest Josh Kennedy we can manage the workloads of a very mobile ruckman in his latter years.

This will be a test. On paper, at best, Goldy and Xerri both had average games. One is young and improving. The other as much as it sucks for him and us is neither of those things.

The test will be whether they are willing to rest him and risk that rest becoming something else if the team structure performs better without him.

 

[The Y Factor]

This will be a test. On paper, at best, Goldy and Xerri both had average games. One is young and improving. The other as much as it sucks for him and us is neither of those things.

The test will be whether they are willing to rest him and risk that rest becoming something else if the team structure performs better without him.

I think we can play Chom at CHF and Goldie as second ruck/ rotating fwd/ emergency Key back off the bench.

Just my thoughts below but Goldie was just about our best vs Sydney and still has plenty to offer -just need to find the right role.

OUT: Mahony, Corr, Hall, Atu IN: Curtis, Comben , Anderson, Goater

FB: MacDonald - McKay - Turner
HB: Goater - J.Walker - Pérez
C: Stephenson- LDU - Greenwood
HF: Taylor -Comben - Zurhaar
FF: JHF- Larkey - Ziebell

R: Xerri -Anderson - Simpkin

I:- Goldstein - Ford - Curtis - Scott

 

[muttley45]

Yep, and it's not even a matter of just dropping Goldy. He's of an age that a rest every 4-5 weeks can be beneficial. If the Swans can rest Josh Kennedy we can manage the workloads of a very mobile ruckman in his latter years.

100% agree, Geelong also "managing" Selwood and Higgins who would be similar vintage to Goldy, no disgrace freshening up these days.

 

[The Y Factor]

100% agree, Geelong also "managing" Selwood and Higgins who would be similar vintage to Goldy, no disgrace freshening up these days.

Goldie is a high performance endurance running machine. Those two are beat up mids.

Don't think its like for like.

 

[R00StaR]

I think we can play Chom at CHF and Goldie as second ruck/ rotating fwd/ emergency Key back off the bench.

Just my thoughts below but Goldie was just about our best vs Sydney and still has plenty to offer -just need to find the right role.

OUT: Mahony, Corr, Hall, Atu IN: Curtis, Comben , Anderson, Goater

FB: MacDonald - McKay - Turner
HB: Goater - J.Walker - Pérez
C: Stephenson- LDU - Greenwood
HF: Taylor -Comben - Zurhaar
FF: JHF- Larkey - Ziebell

R: Xerri -Anderson - Simpkin

I:- Goldstein - Ford - Curtis - Scott

Larkey, Chom and Goldie all forward would be a huge rebound risk. Given X is the future it has to be Goldie that makes way first, only issue is who takes second ruck? Would probably have to be Larkey in the middle and have Chom take forward ball ups to maximize time X plays ruck.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Larkey, Chom and Goldie all forward would be a huge rebound risk. Given X is the future it has to be Goldie that makes way first, only issue is who takes second ruck? Would probably have to be Larkey in the middle and have Chom take forward ball ups to maximize time X plays ruck.

Chom was drafted as a ruck/forward. It is more so a risk given his injury history.

 

[R00StaR]

Chom was drafted as a ruck/forward. It is more so a risk given his injury history.

Im just taking taking ruck duties in the 50 arc, where its more a wrestle type hit out. Not in the square.

 

[The Y Factor]

Larkey, Chom and Goldie all forward would be a huge rebound risk. Given X is the future it has to be Goldie that makes way first, only issue is who takes second ruck? Would probably have to be Larkey in the middle and have Chom take forward ball ups to maximize time X plays ruck.

I wouldn’t play them all forward at the same time either.

Goldie off the bench chopping out Chom, Larkey and X so they can get some bench time

If there were matchups that benefited then it’s an option but ideally not

 

[giantroo]

Chom's roost

View attachment received_864819534431933.mp4

 

[Passmore]

Larkey, Chom and Goldie all forward would be a huge rebound risk. Given X is the future it has to be Goldie that makes way first, only issue is who takes second ruck? Would probably have to be Larkey in the middle and have Chom take forward ball ups to maximize time X plays ruck.

The ball could not rebound out of there any easier than it is now.

 

[ferball]

Everyone wants him in asap yeah?

Honestly, another month in the VFL isn't a bad thing for him.

 

[Themanbun]

Everyone wants him in asap yeah?

Honestly, another month in the VFL isn't a bad thing for him.

Kind of agree but we are in dire straits mate. We made Larkey win the VFL goalkicking before bringing him in and even then he didn't do much for a while. But I feel that Comben will legitimately make us a better side and thus should be picked. Ideally he'd dominate the ressies for another month or two but it is what it is.

 

[ferball]

I think he needs more than four games before he comes into the side.

 

[shintemaster]

I think he needs more than four games before he comes into the side.

I think you may be right for him long term, but I wouldn't complain if they decided it was time. As long as they have an eye on the future with the call.

 

[ferball]

I think you may be right for him long term, but I wouldn't complain if they decided it was time. As long as they have an eye on the future with the call.

He's a gun. I want to see him in the firsts asap but ... we've got to think long term, by which i mean a decade of him playing for us.

 

[Shermanator]

He's a gun. I want to see him in the firsts asap but ... we've got to think long term, by which i mean a decade of him playing for us.

Absolutely

 

[shintemaster]

He's a gun. I want to see him in the firsts asap but ... we've got to think long term, by which i mean a decade of him playing for us.

I hear you. I don't want to rush it either to his long term detriment but he is close enough now that you can almost smell it. I thought at the start of the year that if he played 12+ in the 1sts that would be a great year for him and us and I'm willing to stick with it. I'm not huge on hiding players from "tough" teams too much though. If he's ready in 1-2 weeks then he is ready - whether that is against the team on top or a bottom 4 contender is what it is.

 

[North1411]

I wouldn’t play them all forward at the same time either.

Goldie off the bench chopping out Chom, Larkey and X so they can get some bench time

If there were matchups that benefited then it’s an option but ideally not

A good look at how Melbourne sets up with 2 rucks and 2 all forwards is worth looking at.

 

[Passmore]

Everyone wants him in asap yeah?

Honestly, another month in the VFL isn't a bad thing for him.

I can see both sides.

I’d like to see him in. He looks ready and there’s a spot for a mobile KPF.

On the other hand, results this year mean 5/8 of **** all, and if a big block of VFL will help then, then fine.

 

[shintemaster]

A good look at how Melbourne sets up with 2 rucks and 2 all forwards is worth looking at.

Problem is that Melbourne runs that setup with an extremely fit, mature, hard running midfield. We do not have that. IMHO we are running with one previously great ruckman who is now mortal and one average ruckman that might one day become something more - that's not the basis for copying the premiers structure for mine.

 

[North1411]

Problem is that Melbourne runs that setup with an extremely fit, mature, hard running midfield. We do not have that. IMHO we are running with one previously great ruckman who is now mortal and one average ruckman that might one day become something more - that's not the basis for copying the premiers structure for mine.

Fair point, but it can be done, West Coast used 2 tall forwards and 2 rucks to win their premiership as well. In fact in the past 10 years more teams have won the priemership with the 2 tall forwards and 2 ruck combo than not. Your point of neefing very fit and commited midfield and forwards is accurate though

 

[shintemaster]

Fair point, but it can be done, West Coast used 2 tall forwards and 2 rucks to win their premiership as well. In fact in the past 10 years more teams have won the priemership with the 2 tall forwards and 2 ruck combo than not. Your point of neefing very fit and commited midfield and forwards is accurate though

It's just about that balance. I think running those two ruckman that we have today doesn't provide great support to a young midfield group. The Goldy of 4-5 years ago would have been an immense help with his constant repeat efforts in the centre square and around the ground. I don't think we'll see that bloke much anymore though. It's why I'm keen to get Comben in sooner rather than later as I think his agility and ability to sit on a player's head if they stand in the hole will create more chaos ball than a long down the line to a spoiled Goldy chest mark attempt (or indeed a fumbled Xerri mark).

 

[hellas_johnny]

We have seen that it can be done. Doggies last year Bruce naughton Martin English were very good until injuries. But the issue is uf we're to do it we need better pressure fwds to. Limit the deficiencies of going do tall. We allow the ball out of fwd 50v way too easy let alone if we have an extra tall there. This is where Curtis needs to come in to provide that extra pressure.

 

[LB2Snake]

A good look at how Melbourne sets up with 2 rucks and 2 all forwards is worth looking at.

Gawn is a gun with a huge engine, and Jackson is a freak.