Simpson's surreal success at VFLW Awards

Simpson’s surreal success at VFLW Awards

Charlotte Simpson of the Geelong Cats and Box Hill Hawks teammates Akayla Peterson and Jordan Mifsud pose after winning the 2023 Lambert-Pearce Medal. Photos: GRAHAM DENHOLM/AFL PHOTOS

A GEELONG Cats VFL Women on-baller has done her chances of AFL elevation no harm by taking out the league best and fairest in her very first open age season.

Former Sacred Heart College student and St Joseph’s Football Netball Club junior Charlotte Simpson was presented with the Lambert-Pearce Medal at the VFLW and VFL Awards at the Palladium at Crown in Melbourne last Monday (September 18).

Simpson was one of three winners of the medal, with Box Hill Hawks teammates Jordan Mifsud and Akayla Peterson also tying for top honours.

The trio also finished on 14 votes in a thrilling count where all three winners polled votes in the final round of the season.

To add the icing to the cake, Simpson was also awarded the Debbie Lee Medal (Rebel VFLW Rising Star) and selected at centre in the 2023 VFLW Team of the Year.

Charlotte Simpson after winning the 2023 Debbie Lee Rising Star Medal during the 2023 VFL and VFLW Awards.

Simpson said she was “absolutely shocked” to hear her name called out as a winner at the end of voting.

“I’m just still so excited. It hasn’t even sunk in properly.

“I was very surprised, but incredibly honoured to take out such a prestigious award.

“This was my first proper season in against all the bigger bodies and I really enjoyed it.

“Coming into the season it wasn’t on my mind to win the best and fairest at all. I just wanted to play some consistent footy.

“I worked as hard as I could to just consistently play at a strong level, so it came as a huge shock when my name was read out as a winner.”

The teenager said she was hopeful of making the jump into the AFLW in the future.

“I don’t think I’ll be fully satisfied until I can get to the AFLW. If it’s this year, great, if not then I’ll continue working hard and putting in the work.

“I’m still only 19, so feel I’ve got plenty of time to try get there.

“I think it’s just about continuing to play to my strengths which is winning the contested footy and improving other facets of my game.

“I felt playing against the more mature bodies in the VFLW helped with my game a lot this year.

“My teammates really pushed me all year as well, which I’m super thankful for.”