DOB: 18 May 1975
Debut: Round 10, 1992 against North Melbourne at MCG
Last MFC Game: Round 22, 1997 against Fremantle at MCG
From: Carnegie/Tatura/Powelltown/Eastern Ranges
Number: 44 (1992-1993), 18 (1994), 1 (1995-1997)
Games: 47 (56 total)
Goals: 60 (66 total)
Career Statistics
| Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
| 15 | 0 | 32 | 31.91 |
The former Victorian schoolboy representative and Teal Cup player was available to Melbourne under residential zoning rules, and after three years of negotiations Melbourne landed Charles in the last days before zones were abolished. An outstanding junior athlete, he turned his back on a professional running career to pursue football against the wishes of his father.
With Melbourne sitting second last on the ladder, Charles was given his senior debut less than a week after turning 17, and kicked five goals on debut. His 1993 was less successful, playing just two games. At the end of that season he underwent an ankle reconstruction. He signed a three year contract before 1994 but only played 13 games for the season. Before Round 16 he was flown by helicopter to the Junction Oval for a fitness test and was picked, but after kicking two goals a torn calf muscle cost him another two weeks on the sidelines.
Charles broke his wrist three times in 1995, starting in the pre-season competition. The injury became infected, requiring hospitalisation, and further surgery after a graft failed. He also missed games at the start of that year with a foot injury. Wrist trouble kept him out of the side until Round 10, and the issue reoccurred after three games, keeping Charles out for the rest of the season. His contract expired at the end of 1996, and after narrowly avoiding being delisted Charles had one of his few injury-free seasons in 1997. He played 18 games, but struggled for form in a poor side. At the end of the season he was traded to Carlton for National Draft pick #39.
Charles moved into defence after joining the Blues, but suffered a compound fracture of the leg when a teammate fell across him in the first quarter of his debut. It was his only game for them, and Charles was sacked after going missing for a week during the 1998 pre-season. After joining Woorinen, Charles was a surprise nomination for the 1999 Pre Season Draft. North Melbourne had interest in him but it cooled when he missed a training session. Instead, the ailing St Kilda took him with their last pick and he played eight games in 2000. During the Round 19, 2000 game against Melbourne, Charles was alleged to have called former teammate David Schwarz a racist before withdrawing his remarks.
Charles remained on the Saints list in 2001 but was suspended during the pre-season for missing training, and after four games for VFL side Springvale he suffered a hamstring injury and retired. Charles played for Lalbert from 2002 to 2006.
His cousin David Wirrapanda played for West Coast.
| Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
| 1992 | 9 | 14 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 13 | 24 | 3 |
| 1995 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 18 | 17 | 0 |
Video
Notes
Age 09/05/2001 says the helicopter incident was before a game against West Coast, but Charles did not miss any games after playing them in 1994. May not have played for Carnegie. Teamworks 12/90 says he had been 'associated with the Melbourne Football Club for two years'
Lists
Carlton
Indigenous Players
Most goals on debut
St. Kilda
Youngest Players
Media
Teamworks - 12/90, Winter 1992
Age - 22/05/1992, 07/03/1994, 07/04/1995, 22/10/1995, 26/06/1996, 20/07/1996, 26/11/1996, 15/10/1997, 29/03/1998, 02/02/1999, 03/02/1999, 08/12/1999, 09/01/2000, 09/05/2001
Football Record - 1992 Grand Final
Canberra Times - 15/02/1998
Herald Sun - 19/07/2000
AFANA News - 2001
Links
Australian Rules Football profile
Australian Rules Football Wiki profile
Blueseum profile
Demonland
Demonwiki image gallery
Wikipedia profile