Picture credit: Arj Giese

Over-age midfielder Charlotte Simpson is now set to finally earn her shot at the AFL Women's after being nominated by St Kilda as a father-daughter prospect. Eligible at both Geelong - where she has lived and played all her footy at the Falcons and Cats' VFL - and the Saints, Simpson is a rock solid consistent inside midfielder who can also drift forward and be a marking target. Strong overhead and at ground level, she has continued to develop elements in her game, and was crucial for the Under 23 All-Stars against the AFLW Academy earlier this year.

A natural inside midfielder, Simpson is adept around the clearances and throws herself into contests using her sheer strength to shrug off would-be tacklers. Though not overly athletic, the ball-winner plays to her strengths and is able to get it cleanly off the deck and feed it out, or power through opponents to get it inside 50. After a number of consistent years at Under 18s and state league, she is one who can come in and play an immediate role.

Her 2023 season was nothing short of brilliant, sharing the Lambert-Pearce Medal and was the youngest of the trio to do so. Along with representation in the VFLW Team of the Year and the Geelong VFLW Best and Fairest, it was hard to deny Simpson was outstanding in her ability to back up week after week. Of those without a Draft Combine invite, Simpson had one of the best seasons and is still only 19, pointing to a bright future.

STRENGTHS:

- Clean hands
- Clearances
- Contested work
- Strength
- Consistency
- Production

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Athleticism
- Kicking consistency