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Star Perth midfielder Charlie Constable is considered by many to be the standout contender to win this year’s Sandover Medal.
Through 14 rounds of the Sullivan Logistics WAFL season, Constable averages more than 33 disposals per game, playing a leading role in Perth’s push to play finals.
But Constable is uncomfortable with any suggestion that he’s a “Sandover certainty”.
“It doesn’t sit with me overly well,” Constable said.
“Personally, I have been really lucky this year that I have been supported by a great team who have let me play to my strengths on game day.
“I am looking forward to continuing to put my best foot forward through the back end of the season and help put some more wins on the board.
“I feel the real focus of our season should be on our young crew as well as the senior players who have stuck by Perth through what has been a tough recent history.
“It would be a real privilege to be a part of a successful era at Perth and seeing what it would mean to players such as Matt Taylor, Corey Byrne and Connor Sing.
“Then there are the members, supporters and sponsors.
The appointment of Mark Stone as coach and the emergence of several talented young players has helped turned the club’s fortunes around, claiming eight wins already this year compared to four in 2024.
“It has been a relatively strong two thirds of the year so far and the most exciting fact that we feel like we are only just scratching the surface of what we are capable of this season,” he said.
“Seeing our young players like Baxter Philip and Elijah Scoble making significant strides and becoming consistent league players for us.
“We are a proud group and make no secret of wanting to be the group who turns the fortunes of this footy club around.
“We look forward to finishing off the year well and hopefully having a strong finals series.”
Then there is the Cats connection, with fellow ex-Geelong players Brandan Parfitt, Sam Simpson and Blake Schlensog joining Constable in the midfield mix.
“Sam, Brandan, Blake and I feel very grateful that we all get to play together again and spend time in the same line group in the midfield,” Constable said.
“We feel like we have a great connection out on the field but more importantly, have a great friendship off the field.
“I think we will see the best of Sam at the back end of this year, and he can be a real match winner for us come late in the year which we are all pumped for.
“Brandan has come in for his first year this year and has made the football club immediately better.
“It is not often you get someone of his ability and personality walk into your club, so I’m looking forward to seeing his continued successes at Perth and what he can do for our club.”
The Demons received a reality check last weekend when they suffered a crushing 80-point loss to East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
“We were really disappointed in the way we played,” Constable said.
“Unfortunately, we got beaten in all areas of the game and full credit goes to the Royals because they played a really well-rounded game and won the territory and contested game, which goes a long way to winning games of footy.
“Not much went right for us, so we are looking forward to bouncing back and putting in a strong performance against Swans on Saturday.”