Player manager Marty Pask has praised Geelong for the way they have handled discussions around the future of Charlie Constable.
The 22-year-old has been delisted by the Cats to allow him to explore alternative options as a delisted free agent, with the midfielder to be welcomed back to the club as a rookie if he’s unable to find another suitor.
Pask of Kapital Sports Group said he has held “really respectful” conversations with Geelong over his client’s future.
“We’re seeing a lot of these situations bob up now across the competition,” he said on SEN Mornings.
“Players that arguably would be getting contracts and ticking around are finding themselves delisted.
“The good clubs in the competition – and I talk of Geelong in this situation – who are really respectful and understanding and have tried to look after Charlie in this sense.
“(They’ve told him) that if he can find a football club and it’s an easier path to get there as a delisted free agent, certainly have a look and go have your discussions and see what might be out there and if not, you can come back as a rookie.
“I like it when you can have these honest discussions and in this case, Geelong is trying to care about the individual.”
Constable has struggled for game time in his three years at the club, playing just three times in 2021 for a total of 12 career matches.
Despite his lack of consistent minutes at AFL level, Pask said he understood why the Cats opted to make the decision to delist him.
“I understand it,” he said.
“Last year was a difficult year in a sense that we were in the midst of a pandemic and list sizes had to come back a fair way, there were was a bit of an unknown about list sizes but he did have a safety net of the contrast.
“List spots are tight again this year…finding spots in the competition wasn’t as easy as it once was. Coming out of contract in these times isn’t easy for these players.
“Hopefully good, honest conversations can get the right outcome.”
Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said the club had several players similar to Constable, which ultimately let to their decision to let him explore his options elsewhere.
“We have had open dialogue with Charlie over the past two years in regards to him looking for greater opportunity at another club,” he said in a club statement.
“We believe Charlie is a good player, but we have a number of players that play a similar role. We are hoping that allowing Charlie to become a free agent may help him find a new club.
“We would like to thank Charlie for his significant contribution on and off the field. He has been a strong leader, he is a quality person and has been an exceptional clubman over time at Geelong.”
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