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.