Kiera Whiley and Charlotte Simpson have completed St Kilda’s AFLW list for the upcoming season, with the pair seeing their AFLW dreams realised at tonight’s 2023 AFLW Draft.

Taken at pick No. 10 overall, Whiley is one of the most consistent and dependable on-ballers of this year’s draft class, who has all the right attributes to evolve into an inspiring leader in the seasons to come.

Able to utilise both sides of her body and make sound decisions under pressure, the 18-year-old pieced together a prominent campaign for the Western Jets, primarily as an inside midfielder.

Meanwhile, Simpson joins St Kilda at pick No. 47 after a decorated season for Geelong VFLW, sharing honours for the coveted Lambert-Pearce Medal (VFLW Best & Fairest), taking out the Cats’ VFLW Best & Fairest and earning a place in the VFLW Team of the Year after being overlooked at last year’s draft.

Averaging 23 disposals, six tackles and three marks across 12 appearances for the Cats, Simpson’s greatest asset comes from her ability to play both in the midfield and up forward to impressive effect.

Simpson is the club’s third father-daughter recruit following on from Alice Burke and Caitlin Matthews, with her father Sean Simpson playing seven games for the Saints from 1988-1990 before notching up another 114 appearances for Geelong.

“We’re immensely proud and pleased to have Kiera and Charlotte join us at the Saints,” Executive General Manager of AFLW Tessie McManus said.

“Keira is a talented and reliable player who has shown she has the makings to be an important player moving forward. She is strong on the inside as a midfielder, is a good decision-maker and has terrific leadership potential having previously captained the Western Jets.

“Charlotte has great skill both in the midfield and up forward, being just as capable overhead as she is at ground level. Her strength and power in the contest is just as striking and is sure to complement to the likes of Jaimee Lambert, Tyanna Smith and Olivia Vesely in time.

“We look forward to welcoming Kiera and Charlotte to the club very soon and wish them all the best during their time in red, white and black.”

Whiley and Simpson join recent club additions Paige Trudgeon and Rene Caris, both of whom signed with St Kilda during the Sign & Trade Period after time with Carlton and GWS respectively.