
#40
Isaac Waller
height: 204cm
weight:
D.O.B: 30-03-2007
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “A towering tall talent who attacks the aerial ball with vigour and possesses strong ruck craft.” – Michael Alvaro
Isaac Waller quite literally stands above the rest in this year’s draft crop. The 204cm man mountain is among the many Queensland prospects vying for higher honours, doing so via the Brisbane Lions Academy. Having been part of the program since he was 12-years-old, he could potentially join the fast-growing list of Academy graduates to make the step up to AFL level.
After a clean run throughout preseason, including time with the Allies squad, Waller got going in the Academy Series and played out his second full Coates Talent League stint. His form was enough to warrant selection in the first National Championships game among a raft of fellow talls, and Waller did more than enough to keep his spot throughout the carnival.
Post-champs, the developing big man was afforded a VFL debut in Lions colours. He also made his maiden senior appearances with Maroochydore and played out the season at QAFL level, ending in an elimination final loss. Waller has family ties in Victoria and claims not to support an AFL club, but rather takes aspects from different top level players like Tim English.
Click the ANALYSIS tab for more
STRENGTHS:
+ Aerial ability
+ Clean hands
+ Mobility
+ Ruck craft
+ Size
+ Upside
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Forward craft
- Production
There are few juniors who have been able to comprehensively get the points over Waller, whose sheer frame and reach make him difficult to beat. He prides himself on his aerial impact, exhibiting his strong ruck craft and the ability to clunk contested marks. The towering tall attacks the ball with vigour overhead, putting his body on the line to crash packs or stand up in them if it means he can come away with the grab.
Part of Waller's developing craft in that space is his ability to fight for and hold front position. Otherwise, he sets a strong base to leap into the ball and extends to access it at high points. It's not just a matter of getting first hands to the ball either, Waller is capable of pulling down one-grab marks in contested situations, offering a viable option down the line. Especially amongst his peers, he's difficult to move off the line of the ball.
Much of Waller's impact is delivered aerially, though he is no scrub in open play. Moments like his step and snap deep in the pocket against Oakleigh - early in the Coates Talent League season - come to mind. Such feats go a long way to complimenting his strong aerial presence around the ground. They also hint at the mobility and upside Waller possesses at 204cm, meaning he can become much more than just a tap ruckman.
Waller also backs himself in a skill sense, often wheeling around onto his left side to move the ball on quickly. In doing so, he takes on inboard options and while erratic at times, can do some nice things for a player his size. Although, there remains an element of rawness to Waller's game and he is a relatively low-production type of player, averaging single-digits for disposals as he looks to fulfil his ruck or forward duties.
He came into the year expecting a 70-30 ruck-forward split, making his name at the centre bounces but also chiming in with goals. Waller booted five majors in four Coates Talent League appearances this year and kicked six goals in his seven QAFL games, suggesting his forward craft development is coming along nicely. In particular, he has been enhancing his leading patterns and movement in the front half.
DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie
SUMMARY:
Brisbane has plenty to consider heading into the draft and has already accrued a decent bunch of late picks to cover its potential influx of Academy talent. A top five bid looms for Daniel Annable, while Waller falls in a group with the likes of Tyan Prindable and Harrison Bridge vying for selection down the line. The Lions will likely hope he slides into the later rounds given his rawness and club-tied status, though he obviously captured attention from other recruiters with a National Draft Combine invite. If given an opportunity, Waller projects as a highly developable ruck who can pinch-hit up forward, boasting the fundamentals he needs and experienced support at Brisbane to lean on. He’s a long-termer.
AFL U18 Championships
Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Allies | 12 | 14 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 50 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 12.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 41 |
Total | - | 12 | 14 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 50 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 12.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 41 |
Coates Talent League Boys
Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Lions Academy | 8 | 16 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 43 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 1.3 | 10.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 33 |
2025 | Lions Academy | 20 | 18 | 38 | 11 | 17 | 22 | 10 | 70 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 2.8 | 17.5 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 64 |
Total | - | 28 | 34 | 62 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 113 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 7.8 | 2.0 | 14.1 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 97 |