Richmond is pleased to announce that South Fremantle midfielder Charli Wicksteed has committed to the Club for the 2023 AFLW season.
The West Australian joins the Club as a replacement player following Tessa Lavey’s move to the Inactive List.
Wicksteed, 20, has made a terrific start to her football career in the Western Australian Football League Women’s (WAFLW) since switching from hockey.
The youngster has been a prolific player for the Bulldogs through the midfield averaging 14.6 disposals, 3.5 clearances, and 3.7 inside 50s per game in 2023.
She follows in the path of Richmond AFL players Shai Bolton, Marlion Pickett, Matthew Parker and Steely Green who have been drafted to the Tigers from South Fremantle in recent years.
Wicksteed began playing football in 2020 and was a premiership player at South Bunbury in local football in 2021.
The dynamic midfielder/winger excelled straight away before proving her massive promise at a higher level during the 2022 Rio Tinto WA Country Championships, where she was named an All-Star and in the best players for the Grand Final Victory.
Wicksteed has since kicked on to become an influential state league player in just her second year at the level.
Richmond AFLW Recruiting Manager Trent Mosbey said that Wicksteed’s work rate, skill, and decision-making from her state junior hockey days transferred well to her football, adding she was also an excellent kick.
“Charli has impressive power, speed, and evasive movement,” he said.
“Her running patterns and high-end work rate caught our attention, along with her foot skills, clean hands, and smarts to navigate traffic.
“We were impressed by her strong intent and desire to win the contested ball, defend and work hard from the inside to outside.
“Given her football background and her growth mindset, we see a significant upside in Charli, and we are excited to see what she can do wearing the yellow and black. “
Mosbey said that he could see the Bunbury product playing several roles across the ground at the AFLW level, given her range of attributes.
Wicksteed will relocate to Melbourne to join the AFLW Tigers' pre-season preparations this week.
