Tylah Williams Draft Profile

Swan DistrictsSmall Forward

#3

Tylah Williams

height: 175cm

weight:

D.O.B: 22-02-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An energetic small forward whose speed and creativity cause headaches for opposition defenders.” – Michael Alvaro

Few forwards are capable of making defenders worry like Tylah Williams. The Swan Districts prospect flew under the radar throughout a brilliant top-age campaign, but is arguably the leading talent in a brimming group of West Coast-tied players. A member of the Eagles’ Next Generation Academy, Williams worked in the club’s merchandise shop while blazing his way to football’s elite level.

Williams is originally from Tambellup, a small country town over three hours south of Perth. With help from his aunty, he made the move to the big smoke at 15 years of age in hopes of pursuing a footballing career. As a bottom-ager last year, he played 15 WAFL Colts games for the Swans and booted 16 goals, including three on debut. It was part of what put him on the path to produce an even better top-age season.

On the back of a preseason in Western Australia’s state 18s program, Williams went on to play every game for the Sandgropers. Along the way he had just his second experience of travelling on an airplane, and began to get noticed for higher honours. West Coast came calling and gave Williams a berth in its WAFL League side, where he played two games and adapted well to the speed and cleanliness of senior footy.

Unfortunately, Williams suffered a fracture in his trapezoid bone (wrist) while training with the Eagles and didn’t play another game. He still made an appearance at the National Draft Combine sporting a splint, lighting up the time sheets with three top-10 results. He’s now looking towards the draft and is open to going anywhere. While Eagles-tied, Williams supports Geelong thanks to his Pop and models is game on Bobby Hill.

Click the ANALYSIS tab for more

STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Creativity
+ Kicking
+ Running power
+ Speed
+ Vertical leap

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Contested work
- Size

Williams has a series of genuine weapons at his disposal. His speed and running power are arguably the most damaging, lending to his ability to work up the ground and lose his opponent on the way back to goal. The drive and energy he creates during transitional play is outstanding, and suits how football is currently played down to the ground. Few players this year are as high-impact in the attacking phase.

The ironic thing about Williams' running ability is that he says it's not something he necessarily works on. He ran a solid 2km time trial at the draft combine, but stood out more in the speed stakes with second place in the 20m sprint (2.892 seconds) and fourth in the agility test (7.878 seconds). Where the ball goes, he follows, and naturally that determination to get involved sees him blow up the GPS each game.

Williams' innate work rate is what makes him such an effective connection piece. He loses his opponent seamlessly and is constantly an outlet to move the ball between the arcs. In possession, he's a crafty decision maker and aims to be creative with his foot skills. Williams' vision and dual-sidedness allow him to execute sharp passes on the fly, compounding the impact he makes through his speed-endurance running.

Priding himself on being hard to defend, Williams also has some serious spring for a small player. He has been working on his contested game and to his credit, has done so effectively. Williams swoops on loose balls and utilises his vertical leap to punch above his weight in overhead contests. His competitiveness and attack on the ball are terrific, riding the bumps well and coming out of physical duels with elasticity.

Continuing to develop that side of his game will help Williams to make the step to AFL football. He suits the outside-leaning method of transitional football, but is still quite lightly framed and will also have to hold his own against much more mature bodies. That being said, he managed it quite well in two senior WAFL games. Perhaps consistency and production are other areas of growth for Williams, given he is not a particularly high accumulator nor massive goalkicker.

DRAFT RANGE: 15-30

SUMMARY:

Williams has firmed as the player set to be taken second out of Western Australia, and the first among his West Coast-tied peers. The Eagles are still forming their draft hand but will likely have to consider matching four bids in the National Draft, including Williams in the first round. Being a specialist small forward, he offers plenty of nous in a niche and highly sought-after position. His speed and creativity also suit the way modern football is trending, so rival clubs will make West Coast pay a pretty penny. He’ll only get better in an elite environment, too.