Charlie Constable is known as ‘Chook' but he’s rapt to be a Cat

GEELONG draftee Charlie Constable was in nappies when Gary Ablett began his first pre-season and the chicken-loving teen hopes to have an impact in the AFL alongside his new teammates.

THEY call him “Chook”.

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And there’s not much to it.

“That’s for my love of chicken,” Constable smiled.

“Everyone calls me that, and I’ve had that for the last three years. A nice roast chicken from Safeway is my go.”

Geelong’s dietitians shouldn’t be too unhappy with that, but Constable — who the Cats selected with pick 36 in the national draft — is hoping to make the shift from bayside Melbourne to Geelong and move in with a teammate, to “teach me the ropes and the professionalism needed to be a good player”.

The 18-year-old was in nappies when now-teammate Gary Ablett was embarking on his first pre-season.

Charlie “Chook” Constable hopes to feature at senior level in his first AFL season. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ablett, 33, is now in his 17th and this week unveiled his new No.4 alongside Constable, who donned the hoops for the first time and will wear No.18.

It was evident that even after a few days at the club, the teenager couldn’t quite believe it.

“I’ve been having a look through some books that they gave me, and there’s some pretty big names on my locker and a few big names that we get to play with, which is pretty cool,” he said.

“We get to walk through the locker rooms with Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood, so it’s pretty surreal feeling.

“It’s obviously pretty surreal (to have his number unveiled alongside Ablett), but he’s a really nice guy. I’m sure all the first-year boys will learn a lot off him, which will be great.”

There is a familiar face.

Stewart Crameri, Tim Kelly, Gary Ablett, Charlie Constable, Gryan Miers and Lachie Fogarty all received their new Cats jumper numbers this week. Picture: Getty Images

Not only did Constable play state-league football with now-fellow Cat Lachie Fogarty — who the Cats selected with pick 22 in the recent national draft — but the duo have been mates since Under 12s.

Brayshaw, who was selected by Fremantle in the recent draft, joined Constable in the post-selection celebrations, but the teenager admitted some alone time was required as AFL officials including chief executive Gillon McLachlan read the names.

“I had just the family over, I didn’t really want the friends over,” Constable said.

“At about pick 20, I had to go to the other room and just watch it by myself — I got pretty nervous.

“When my name got read out to Geelong, I couldn’t be happier. It was the club I wanted to go to.”

Charlie Constable (right) in action for Sandringham in the TAC Cup. Picture: Kylie Else

Naturally, there were early nerves for Constable as he made his first trip to Geelong this week, with no time wasted in addressing what is expected of players entering the Cattery’s new facilities.

“It was clear from the start how strong the culture is here and how big they are on values and the person (as well as the player),” he said.

“We sat down with a few people this week and had a long chat about the person you need to be, and then talent comes second. So that’s really exciting to know how much emphasis they place on (that).

“In terms of (making the last two preliminary) finals, it’s pretty cool that hopefully we could play a few finals and maybe even win the flag.”