BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this year, the focus is on underage players, being those who are yet to have an AFLW Draft chance. For the list of 2024, it will range between players who are predominantly 2006 (top-age) and 2007-born talents likely to take the SANFL Women’s by storm or set themselves up for the future. Note: The list is the opinion of the author and was difficult to restrict to just 24 names.

Looking to our next player and it is a third straight 2007-born talent in the form of tall Norwood utility, Charli Hazelhurst. After a starring role for South Australia in the Croweaters’ title-winning run at the Under 16 Championships, she returned to step up for Norwood at SANFL Women’s level and show she can compete against senior bodies.

CHARLI HAZELHURST PROFILE

DOB: 02/07/2007
Height: 176cm
Position: Tall Utility
Club: Norwood

SUMMARY

Hazelhurst is a bottom-ager ready to blossom in 2024 with her progression last season very evident. Key position players are always in hot demand, and for someone like Hazelhurst who can play anywhere, and have the running capacity to even slot in as a tall midfielder if required, makes her a valuable utility to any side she plays for.

Hazelhurst’s best game came against Vic Metro in the Under 16 Championships, where in a 32-point win, racked up 20 disposals, six inside 50s and laid seven tackles. Against Western Australia, she had a further seven touches, but her overall impact allowed her to earn All-Australian honours for hte carnival. From there, she was able to finish off the season in style at SANFL Women’s level, playing the last five games of the season, including both finals.

She averaged the 7.7 disposals, 1.8 marks and 3.5 tackles per game, and while her numbers do not jump off the page, she was able to hold her own despite being well younger and less experienced than most of her opponents. Still only a bottom-ager, Hazelhurst will be given even more opportunities to shine in the Redlegs’ side and could be thrown around in multiple positions if required.

As someone who can play forward, back, ruck or even midfield, there are high hopes on Hazelhurst to be similar to a Poppy Scholz who was also used in a variety of roles for her state. Hazelhurst has the aerial ability to slot into a role inside 50, but she can still find the ball – as her 20 touches at Under 16s level suggests – so can even push up to add an extra number to the contest.

Regardless of the role she plays, Hazelhurst looms as an exciting young player with the Redlegs, and is very much one to watch in 2024.