BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this time around, 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.

Charlotte Riggs is an ultra-athletic utility who predominantly has found her place in defence for the Bulldogs, playing at centre half-back. Though Riggs can provide a lockdown role on an opponent, the talented tall is also a strong interceptor and provide some drive down the field in transition.

CHARLOTTE RIGGS PROFILE

DOB: 02/11/2006
Height: 178cm
Position: Tall Defender/Utility
Club: Central District

SUMMARY

Riggs has played 21 games over the past two seasons for Central District, initially starting in the ruck, but has by and by found herself in defence. She is more than capable of being thrown forward too, as she showed during the SANFL Women’s Grand Final. After copping a knock in the match, Riggs returned to the field inside 50, taking a good mark and slotting a goal, her first of the season.

Riggs has an elite vertical jump and boosted her numbers in 2023 from 2022, averaging 12.5 disposals, 3.4 marks, 2.9 tackles and 2.6 rebound 50s last season. She finds enough of the ball to be that offensive outlet, but shuts down her opponents at the same time. After dipping her toes in the water for South Australia at the 2022 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, Riggs played all three games last season in defence, averaging 7.3 disposals, 2.0 marks and 3.0 rebound 50s.

What stands out about Riggs other than her vertical leap, is her competitiveness and aggression at the contest. She puts her body on the line and will slot into any role required, and though she is perhaps undersized to be a ruck, her leap allows her to compete strongly. Long-term though she is a natural intercept defender, and her hands are as good as anyone’s going around.

Heading into 2024, Riggs is seen as a key piece in Central District’s premiership defence. She is hard to get around and contain in the air, and she will only get better with her fundamentals which have been improving over time. As a player who can also provide defensive pressure at ground level, Riggs is an all-round talent who can further take her game to another level.

SANFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:

>> #4 Jasmine Evans (Central District)
>> #5 Poppy Scholz (Glenelg)
>> #6 Jemma Charity (North Adelaide)
>> #7 Lucy Boyd (West Adelaide)
>> #8 Violet Patterson (Glenelg)
>> #9 Sophie Eaton (Central District)
>> #10 Monique Bessen (Sturt)
>> Ruby Ballard (West Adelaide)
>> Shae Archbold (South Adelaide)
>> Asha Dufour (West Adelaide)
>> Coby Morgan (Norwood)
>> Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)
>> Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)
>> Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)
>> Grace Martin (Woodville-West Torrens)
>> Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
>> Steph Tredwell (West Adelaide)
>> Matilda Wilmore (Glenelg)
>> Charli Hazelhurst (Norwood)
>> Chloe Tonkin (West Adelaide)
>> Imogen Trengove (Woodville-West Torrens)