CHARLIE SHARPLES has made quite an impact in his short time the SANFL.
After just nine senior games, with Sturt, this 19-year-old talent won the right to wear the State jumper for South Australia against Victoria, thereby joining a select group of teenagers who have worn the traditional red, blue and gold of the Croweaters.
Significantly, Sharples was the first footballer since current Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich to play national underage and State senior representative football in the same year.
"There is no doubt Charlie has a big future in the game," Sturt coach Rick Macgowan said. "He is a super talent and I’m surprised he wasn't drafted last year. He has made a strong commitment this year and was rewarded with selected in the State team.
"Playing generally at half-forward or on a wing, with the occasional run on the ball, Charlie has all the creative skills you’d expect from his heritage. But his greatest attribute is hardness at the contest – he loves the physical side of the game – he tackles well, is good at harassing opponents and is defensively strong."
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said Sharples has been a prominent member of the Northern Territory Thunder at both under 16s and 18s level over the last few years.
"Charlie at this level made a marked improvement in 2008," he said. "He was more confident, taking opponents on and running the lines. He has elite speed - applies good skills defensively and because he is still lightly framed, there is a lot of development still to come.
"Many of the Aboriginal players (can play) at AFL level because of the defensive part of their game – their ability display strong defensive pressure in the forward lines, running down and tackling players to create turnovers."
North Adelaide 1987 premiership captain and coach of the SANFL State team this year, Darel Hart explained the reason for Sharples' selection was the defensive aspects of his game, especially his tackling.
"Defensively for a player so young he was pretty impressive," Hart said. "He added a different dimension to our ground and his form was solid at SANFL level. I am sure that the experience will help him at Sturt when finals come around.
"He has come along way in a short time and he is a conscientious young man with a good attitude."
Sharples, who originates from Darwin, played a pair of league games last year in Macgowan's first season at the Unley Oval-based club and has been a regular member of the senior team. He was commendable without having a huge impact in the showcase State league (SANFL v VFL) contest where South Australia had an emphatic victory over the Victorians at Adelaide Oval in May. He snared a goal in the 65-point win.
From NTFL club Darwin Buffaloes, where he played a couple years of senior football, Sharples played Under-16s for the NT Thunder in 2005 and at Under-18s level both last and this year.
Last year, Sharples played alongside AFL draftees Austin Wonaeamirri, Cyril Rioli, Cameron Stokes and Marlon Motlop at the national 18s in Melbourne. Like most talented and ambitious youngtsters, he wants to reach the top, too.
"My dream is top play at the top level as well,” Sharples explained. "It helps your belief to see the other boys from the Thunder Under-18s side from last year are now playing in the AFL – you start to think if they can do it, so can I.
"I actually played a lot of footy with (Hawthorn's) Cameron Stokes in Darwin."
A Rostrevor College boarding student, whose football hero is Aboriginal statesman Michael Long, he admitted it was initially hard to adjust in his move to Adelaide but realises it is an important part of the process if he is to fulfil his dreams.
Unlike a lot of his team mates from up north, Sharples' family's sporting history is a little different.
"My mum, Sandra, is originally from Alice Springs and she was a talented soccer player," he said, "while dad, Julian, was a swimmer."
PETER ARGENT
PLA.Wordsmith@bigpond.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
Last Modified on 30/07/2008 23:03