Since making her way from the Hawks, Charlotte Baskaran has gone from strength-to-strength in her two years in the red, white, and black.
“I love using my run and my carry” Baskaran highlighted when asked about the way she goes about her football, which has undoubtedly become one of the main weapons in her tool bag.
However, it wasn't the easiest of journeys for the 23-year-old.
In her Auskick days, Baskaran put her footy on hold as a result of having no girls football teams in her proximity.
The St Kilda 2025 Best Emerging Player decided to pursue other sports and hobbies in the interim, which included athletics - one reason why her running numbers are in the top echelon of the AFLW competition. In her athletic journey of four years away from football, she reached national-level in the 400m bracket.
Fastrack to 2026, Baskaran has been flourishing at RSEA Park, underscored by an equal career-high 19-disposal outing in her first game of the season against Carlton at Marvel Stadium-.
The 2023 AFLW Rising Star Nominee praised her teammates for helping fast-track her development.
"I really admire the work of T (Tyanna Smith) and Jaimee Lambert – they're just absolute workhorses. They’re so determined to get the best out of themselves and the team,” Baskaran said.
Although it has been a disappointing season for the Saints, the midfielder can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I love it here, and I love this group of girls. I can definitely see the growth areas,” she said.
“But we want to be playing at the back end of November... playing for the cup."
The Saints made an elimination final against the Crows last year, however ultimately were defeated by 44 points at Norwood Oval.
The ninth pick in the 2021 AFLW draft will suit up for her 50th AFLW game in St Kilda’s last fixture of the season tomorrow afternoon at home against Port Adelaide.
Baskaran has her aspirations set on the group wanting to be "playing an exciting brand of football” and "obviously wanting to be playing finals at the end of the season” in 2027.
