STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Versatility
+ Clean hands

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Production
- Consistency

Charlie Barnett is an exciting midfielder/forward who is not a big ball-winner by any means, but can have an impact in multiple ways. Barnett improved in a big way for the Pioneers in the NAB League, doing enough across eight games to earn a State Draft Combine invite. Along with appearances for the Pios, Barnett also managed the two matches for Vic Country at the AFL Under 18 Championships.

Barnett's top-age campaign was a clear step-up from his bottom-age one, averaging six more disposals and 3.6 more marks, becoming an aerial presence. Standing at 188cm, Barnett is a medium midfielder who can play high half-forward, and he kicked four goals at NAB League level, averaging one every two games. He noticeably lifted his defensive pressure in the second half of the season, and aside from a quiet 11-disposal game against the Stingrays, recorded at least 13 disposals and three marks per game.

Though Barnett is far from the complete player and has to work on his overall consistency and ball-winning skills, Barnett's strength in the air and improvement across the course of the 2022 season shows there is development potential there, and he should be one to watch for the future.