GOLD Coast has confirmed the worst-kept secret in women's footy, selecting Charlie Rowbottom with the No.1 pick in the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft.
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The 18-year-old is a Vic Metro product, having played her junior footy with the Oakleigh Chargers and East Malvern, but opted to nominate Queensland in the state-based draft pool.
Even if Rowbottom had opted to stay in Victoria, she had been set to be taken among the top selections in the state.
A very tall midfielder at 179cm, Rowbottom's strength lies in her power and clearance work, while she's a strong contested mark when stationed forward of the footy.
After the Suns had a winless 2021 campaign, Rowbottom is set to be a welcome addition regardless of which line she ends up playing on.
"I've been out of school for a year now, I finished Year 12 in isolation (during 2020)," she said.
"So when Gold Coast came forward and had a chat to me, I was really keen.
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"They made me really excited to move up there to the sunshine.
"It's going to be a bit of a change, a shift in my life, but it's all very exciting."
