Justin Charles
Justin Charles is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray and Richmond in the VFL/AFL.
Footscray career
Charles was recruited to the Footscray Football Club after winning an under-19s best and fairest with them, and his father John R. Charles, as well as his uncle Norm Charles had played for the club in the past. He made his debut in 1989, however in the five seasons he spent at the club until 1993, he never could consolidate a position with spots for big players of his type competitive. Terry Wheeler, then coach of the Bulldogs, was willing to put him up for trade, however Charles quit the club and took a year off from football. He had played only 36 games for 24 goals with the club.Richmond career
Charles took a year off football in 1994, in frustration, when he turned his hand to baseball, playing in the minor league with the Florida Marlins.The former plumber was surprisingly picked up in the 1994 AFL draft by Richmond and immediately impressed the club with his work ethic. He became a prominent ruckman and in 1996's Brownlow Medal he polled 17 votes, with Michael Voss and James Hird, the winners, polling only four more.