{"id":223701,"date":"2026-10-09T15:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T05:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=223701"},"modified":"2026-10-09T15:35:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T05:35:07","slug":"consistency-key-for-charlton-after-surreal-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/10\/09\/consistency-key-for-charlton-after-surreal-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Consistency key for Charlton after “surreal” year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

RARELY fazed by the expectations, Emma Charlton<\/a> just goes out and plays her role each and every week. That consistency is what holds the sister of Adelaide’s Teah<\/em><\/strong> in great stead for the future, as she takes a measured approach heading into the AFLW Draft. One of the top prospects in 2026, Charlton has a glittering junior career, but does not get caught up in the hype.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The main word would probably just be ‘consistent’ [to describe 2026],” she said. “I think across my games I was able to play the way I wanted to and play quite consistently through SANFL and then through Academy and State, so it’s been quite nice. Obviously winning national champs is a pretty surreal feeling.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With ties to the elite level, Charlton understands the extra eyes that will be on her, and while linking up with her sister at the Crows would be great, she’s not too concerned about next year’s destination, be it in the tri-colours or any one of the other 17 AFLW clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I guess at the end of the day whatever happens, happens, so there’s no point really stressing about it too much,” Charlton said. “Also if I hopefully get the opportunity to get drafted, you just work hard and make the most of it, wherever that is.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlton had a successful year both individually and from a team perspective, going one better at the national championships with South Australia, while adding a second All-Australian honour to her name after her bottom-age campaign that also yielded an MVP in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It definitely such a surreal experience especially with the group of girls we knew we could achieve that, it was just a matter of if we performed and lucky enough for us we did and we deserve to be there and we’re definitely talented enough to be there,” Charlton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s a pretty good honour to get All-Australian. “I think it’s just a bit of recognition for hard work that I put in and it’s quite surreal just to be in that with the likes of some of the other girls here.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most balanced players in terms of her overall profile with very few flaws and a consistent approach across the board, Charlton said her “off-field leadership” was the biggest improvement in her game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That was something right at the start of the season where I sat down and I just reflected on last year and I was like ‘that’s something I wanted to do and pursue’ which I did through the state program,” the South Australian skipper said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It was such an honour to be able to be recognised as that team’s captain and then to go on to win was quite nice. That was definitely something that I strived to develop, and I think with the likes of the state coaches and players around me I was definitely able to do.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willing to play in any position depending on wherever “the team needs”, Charlton said it was about grabbing any opportunity at the top level and then improving her game from there. As for her main focus, it would be her speed out of congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The first few steps out of stoppage, just exploding away a bit faster, maybe breaking a few lines, but that will come,” Charlton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlton said once the goals of Draft Combine testing and getting drafted can be ticked off, she would “sit down and make new goals” for 2027 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think in a real big scheme of it is to get better, but after the draft whatever happens, happens. I’ll sit back down and make shorter-term goals to push myself in the right direction with whatever might happen on draft night,” Charlton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think that’s something that I’ll sit back down after that night happens. “Ultimately all the goals will just be entangled with becoming a better person and becoming a better player and teammate.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DRAFT FEATURES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New South Wales: <\/strong>Evie Bowie<\/a>, Frances Walsh<\/a>, Majella Day<\/a>
Queensland: <\/strong>Zoe Petrides<\/a>, Summer Browning<\/a>
South Australia:<\/strong> Emily Mableson<\/a>
Vic Country: <\/strong>Greea McKeegan<\/a>, Lily Milner<\/a>
Vic Metro: <\/strong>Bailee Martin<\/a>, Tayla Olivieri<\/a>, Maddison Meagher<\/a>, Brylee Anderson<\/a>, Grace McIntyre<\/a>
Western Australia:<\/strong> Lexi Strachan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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