Wil Powell (born 26 August 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL). He made his debut in Round 15 of the 2018 season against the Collingwood Magpies at Carrara Stadium[1] and scored a goal with his first kick.[2]
| Wil Powell | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Powell playing for Gold Coast in August 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 26 August 1999 | ||
| Original team(s) | Claremont Tigers (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | 19, 2017 national draft | ||
| Debut | June 30, 2018, Gold Coast vs. Collingwood, at Carrara Stadium | ||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Wing/ half-forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Gold Coast | ||
| Number | 27 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2018– | Gold Coast | 105 (15) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Powell is from Scarborough, Western Australia, and played Colts football for the Claremont Tigers in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). He averaged 14 disposals and kicked eight goals from 18 games and was invited to test at the Western Australian State Combine. Powell was selected by the Suns with pick 19 in the 2017 national draft, their first selection. He was described as a "shock pick" and a "bolter"; Claremont had earlier posted a list of possible draftees from the club on Twitter, but Powell was not included.[3]
In May 2018, Powell extended his contract with the Suns to 2021.[4] His 2022 season ended early with a compound fracture to his ankle.[citation needed]
Homophobic slurs
editIn 2024, the AFL reported that he would be banned for five matches after he made a homophobic slur. It was the third instance in 2024 of a homophobic slur being said by an AFL player or coach.[5] After the slur was made, it was made public that Powell had previously made numerous homophobic posts on social media.[6] Melbourne captain Max Gawn said it was "embarrassing" for Powell to call himself an AFL player in light of the controversy.[7] AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said, "It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks."[8]
Statistics
edit- Statistics are correct to the end of 2024[9]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | ||||
| 2018 | Gold Coast | 27 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 37 | 24 | 61 | 18 | 14 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 5.3 | 3.4 | 8.7 | 2.6 | 2.0 |
| 2019 | Gold Coast | 27 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 88 | 70 | 158 | 46 | 35 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 6.8 | 5.4 | 12.2 | 3.5 | 2.7 |
| 2020[a] | Gold Coast | 27 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 102 | 95 | 197 | 50 | 25 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 13.1 | 3.3 | 1.7 |
| 2021 | Gold Coast | 27 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 259 | 132 | 391 | 115 | 54 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.8 | 6.0 | 17.8 | 5.2 | 2.5 |
| 2022 | Gold Coast | 27 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 136 | 40 | 176 | 43 | 29 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 11.3 | 3.3 | 14.7 | 3.6 | 2.4 |
| 2023 | Gold Coast | 27 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 275 | 90 | 365 | 115 | 42 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 15.3 | 5.0 | 20.3 | 6.4 | 2.3 |
| 2024 | Gold Coast | 27 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 220 | 112 | 332 | 97 | 42 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 12.2 | 6.2 | 18.4 | 5.4 | 2.3 |
| Career | 105 | 15 | 22 | 1117 | 563 | 1680 | 483 | 241 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 10.6 | 5.4 | 16.0 | 4.6 | 2.3 | ||
Notes
- ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
edit- ^ "Gold Coast Suns Vs Collingwood - Match Centre". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ "Claremont teenager Wil Powell kicks a stunning goal in AFL debut". The West Australian. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ Guthrie, Ben; Whiting, Michael (24 November 2017). "Bolt from the blue: Suns' shock pick at 19". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ Whiting, Michael (9 May 2018). "Yet to debut, but young Sun extends his stay". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ Snape, Jack (9 May 2024). "Five-game ban given to Wil Powell as AFL ramps up sanctions for homophobic slurs". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ Wu, Andrew; Vinall, Marnie; Gleeson, Michael (9 May 2024). "Powell's social media posts revealed after homophobic slur". The Age. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "'Embarrassing to call yourself an AFL player': Max Gawn supports league over homophobic slur bans". Fox Sports. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "AFL statement: Wil Powell". afl.com.au. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Wil Powell". AFL Tables. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
External links
edit
- Wil Powell's profile on the official website of the Gold Coast Football Club
- Wil Powell's playing statistics from AFL Tables