Date of Birth: 29/01/05 
Height: 177cm 
Weight: 74kg 
Position: Small Forward 

State: Victoria Country 
State League Club: GWV Rebels 
Community Club: East Point 

Port Adelaide has claimed pressure forward Lachlan Charleson with its second pick in the 2023 AFL National Draft on Tuesday night. 

Charleson’s name was called with pick 52 after the Power made their second draft night trade, sending a future fourth round selection tied to Carlton to Hawthorn in return for the pick that secured the exciting GWV Rebels product. 

The 18-year-old Victorian enjoyed an impressive season for the Rebels, finishing eighth in the goal kicking in the Coates Talent League with 24 goals, 17 of which came in a flurry over the final five games of the season, including a bag of eight against No.1 pick Harley Reid’s Bendigo Pioneers. 

Charleson is known as one of the best applicators of defensive pressure in this year’s draft pool, with his speed and intensity, including a penchant for big goal celebrations a feature of his game. 

He was also a member of Victoria Country’s National Championship squad. 

Port Adelaide National Recruiting Manager Geoff Parker says:

Lachlan is a small forward who has demonstrated some outstanding forward craft this season. He has the ability to hit the scoreboard as evidenced by his eight goal game against Bendigo earlier this year.

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan says: 

Small forward who really caught the eye with an eight-goal performance for the GWV Rebels against the Bendigo Pioneers late in the year, before following it up with a four-goal showing a fortnight later against the Murray Bushrangers. Those efforts topped off an impressive year in the Coates Talent League where he booted 24 goals and averaged 18.5 disposals and three tackles across 13 matches. Also represented Victoria Country at the National Championships and produced a sharp 2.99 seconds for the 20m sprint during Combine testing.