Wil Powell

Wil Powell
Powell playing for Gold Coast in August 2018
Personal information
Full name Wil Carlos Powell
Born (1999-08-26) 26 August 1999
Original team 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 Defender
Club information
Current club Gold Coast
Number 27
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018– Gold Coast 132 (16)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
2026 Western Australia 1 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 1, 2026.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Wil Carlos 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]

Early football

Powell grew up in Scarborough, Western Australia. His grandfather Roy Powell played in three premierships with the East Perth Football Club.[3]

Powell 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.[4]

AFL career

In May 2018, Powell extended his contract with the Suns to 2021.[5] His 2022 season ended early with a compound fracture to his ankle.

Homophobic slur and suspension

In 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.[6] After the slur was made, it was made public that Powell had previously made numerous homophobic posts on social media.[7] Melbourne captain Max Gawn said it was "embarrassing" for Powell to call himself an AFL player in light of the controversy.[8] AFL General Counsel Stephen Meade said, "It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks."[9]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 1, 2026.[10]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
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 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 0
2020[a] Gold Coast 27 15 2 0 102 95 197 49 25 0.1 0.0 6.8 6.3 13.1 3.3 1.7 0
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 0
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 0
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 0
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 0
2025 Gold Coast 27 25 1 4 236 169 405 120 76 0.0 0.2 9.4 6.8 16.2 4.8 3.0 0
2026 Gold Coast 27 2 0 1 20 19 39 6 12 0.0 0.5 10.0 9.5 19.5 3.0 6.0 TBA
Career 132 16 27 1373 751 2124 609 329 0.1 0.2 10.4 5.7 16.1 4.6 2.5 0

Notes

  1. ^ 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

  1. ^ "Gold Coast Suns Vs Collingwood - Match Centre". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Claremont teenager Wil Powell kicks a stunning goal in AFL debut". The West Australian. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  3. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (9 February 2026). "AFL Origin: Gold Coast's Wil Powell is honoured to represent grandfather Roy Powell and uncle Terry O'Brien". The West Australian. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  4. ^ Guthrie, Ben; Whiting, Michael (24 November 2017). "Bolt from the blue: Suns' shock pick at 19". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  5. ^ Whiting, Michael (9 May 2018). "Yet to debut, but young Sun extends his stay". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Wu, Andrew; Vinall, Marnie; Gleeson, Michael (9 May 2024). "Powell's social media posts revealed after homophobic slur". The Age. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  8. ^ "'Embarrassing to call yourself an AFL player': Max Gawn supports league over homophobic slur bans". Fox Sports. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  9. ^ "AFL statement: Wil Powell". afl.com.au. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Wil Powell". AFL Tables. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
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