Fremantle Dockers' latest and most intriguing signing, Charli Hazelhurst, has opened up about where she believes she can best contribute to the team's fortunes in the upcoming AFLW season. The 19-year-old, who has been dubbed a 'unicorn' recruit due to her unique athletic background, is setting her sights on making waves in the engine room.
A Unicorn's Path to Fremantle
Charli Hazelhurst's journey to the Fremantle Dockers is anything but ordinary. Unlike most AFLW players, she did not come through the traditional football pathways. Instead, her elite sporting background is rooted in athletics, specifically as a national-level 400m hurdler. This raw speed and power caught the eye of Fremantle's recruiters, who selected her with pick No. 64 in the 2024 AFLW Draft.
Before her draft selection, Hazelhurst showcased her rapid learning curve and adaptability by playing for Subiaco in the WAFLW competition. Her performances there demonstrated a natural affinity for the game, convincing the Dockers to take a chance on her extraordinary athletic potential.
Finding Her Place on the Field
When asked about her preferred position, Hazelhurst was clear about her ambitions. "I see myself as a midfielder," she stated. She elaborated that while she has the height and leap to play in the ruck, her primary focus is on developing the endurance and skills required to thrive through the middle of the ground.
"I've been training with the midfield group and just trying to build that tank," Hazelhurst explained. Her background as a 400m hurdler gives her a distinct advantage in terms of explosive power and speed over short distances, but transitioning to the repeat-effort running of AFL football is a key challenge she is embracing.
Versatility as a Key Asset
Despite her midfield aspirations, the young Docker acknowledges that her unique physical attributes offer flexibility. Standing at 179cm tall, she possesses the size to compete in aerial contests, making her a potential option in other roles if needed by the team.
"I can go into the ruck if they need, but I'm really working hard on my midfield craft," she said. This versatility makes her a valuable asset for Fremantle coach Lisa Webb, who can deploy her in multiple areas depending on the game's demands.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
Hazelhurst is fully immersed in her first AFLW pre-season with Fremantle, learning the systems and building connections with her new teammates. Her recruitment is part of a broader strategy by the Dockers to inject elite athleticism and untapped potential into their list.
The club and fans will be eagerly watching to see how this 'unicorn' recruit translates her track speed and competitive drive onto the football field. If she can successfully adapt her athletic prowess to the midfield battle, Charli Hazelhurst could become one of the most exciting stories of the 2025 AFLW season.
Her story is a testament to the expanding talent identification networks in women's football, looking beyond traditional nurseries to find athletes who can bring new dimensions to the game.
