Charlie West Draft Profile

South AustraliaKey Forward

#41

Charlie West

height: 194cm

weight:

D.O.B: 01-02-2006

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A contested marking key forward who presents at the ball full-chested, combining speed and strength while also chopping out in the ruck.” – Michael Alvaro

Woodville-West Torrens tall Charlie West is a well-known commodity in the South Australian pathway. The 194cm key forward debuted in the SANFL Under 18 competition back in 2022, playing three games before returning to help the Eagles take out the Under 16 premiership. He was also part of SA’s title-winning National Championships campaign that year.

West, who has split his time between the SANFL tiers, state squad, and commitments with Immanuel College over the journey, went on to break through for a Reserves berth in 2023, as a bottom-ager. He converted that to a pair of League outings in 2024 after making two appearances at the National Championship. He ended his year back in the junior SANFL grade, again achieving premiership success with Woodville-West Torrens.

Among West’s best performances for the year was a five-goal outing against South Adelaide in Round 18, where he set himself up for finals with 21 touches and 10 marks. He booted two goals in the Grand Final and went on to make a good account for himself at the National Draft Combine. There, West placed sixth in the 20m sprint, and ninth in the standing vertical jump.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

STRENGTHS:

+ Aggression
+ Contested marking
+ Follow-up work
+ Speed
+ Strength
+ Vertical leap

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Endurance
- Field kicking

West's one wood is clearly his contested marking ability. He averaged six marks per his 10 SANFL Under 18 appearances this year, with a third of them coming in a contest. Part of what makes him so effective is his strength, boasting a solid frame to post against and push off opponents before extending his arms at the ball. He also has a terrific leap, and proved it with the ninth-best vertical jump at the National Draft Combine.

While dangerous deep inside 50, West is also capable of presenting up the ground or being an option down the line. He rates highly for speed, having clocked up the a 2.96-second 20m sprint, and uses it to charge at the kicker full-chested. His attack on the ball is as authoritative as any key forward worth their salt, and the physicality he offers translates well when producing follow-up efforts to collect the loose ball.

Given his physical attributes, West is capable of providing a chop-out in the ruck - albeit undersized at 194cm. His ability to prise clearances and blast the ball forward contributes to a high inside 50 count - he averaged over three per SANFL Under 18 game this season. West's mobility also sees him often possess the ball in zones where he can use his speed to wheel around quickly and launch direct long kicks into attack.

That kind of play is where West's improvement areas are observed. He was challenged during preseason with the state squad and runs a 7:04 2km time trial, so can continue to build his endurance base to compliment his power game. What's more, tidying up his field kicking will make him all the more effective. Tweaks to his decision making and technique can turn those forward 50 entries into plentiful score assists.

Nonetheless, West is clearly capable of performing as a high-production key forward. His imposing frame was difficult to handle at Under 18 level, as he could dominate opponents aerially and brush them off when the ball hit the deck. With a better running capacity, especially at just under genuine key position height, he projects as a solid third tall option in the mould of Brisbane's Logan Morris.

DRAFT RANGE: Late-Rookie

SUMMARY:

While this year’s draft crop is renowned for its midfielders, there are plenty of talls jostling for spots on AFL lists. Many of them are set to feature late in the first round, though West is one who could provide value later on. He offers great physical gifts with his strength and explosive athletic traits, which are rare for 194cm players. Having a bit of mongrel also helps, especially as a contested marker. Expect clubs to eye him off with a late pick given he has some development left to make, and may not quite project as a mainline key forward.