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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “Best suited as a modern goalkicking small forward, Walley can play anywhere across the front two thirds of the ground to damaging effect.” – Hayden Narducci
One of the leading forward prospects entering 2025, Wes Walley’s athletic traits gave him a reputation as a nightmare for defenders. His start to the year at WAFL Colts level proved as much. Playing a combination of wing, midfield and forward, Walley looked a class above when the ball was in his hands. Capable of playing a variety of roles and positions, Walley is certainly most dangerous when operating as a primary forward.
One of three members of West Coast’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) to earn a National Draft Combine invite, it looks likely but not certain that Walley will stay in his home state by the time the draft’s up. He was part of the AFL’s National Academy and played two showcase games for the elite Under 18 side, while going on to run out a full carnival with Western Australia.
Walley was also part of the state 18s program last year, turning out just once for a two-goal haul. He burst onto the scene with a scintillating four-goal performance for Subiaco’s Colts in one of his 14 appearances as a bottom-ager, setting the platform for his rise. The dangerous forward ended up playing through a debilitating shoulder injury in 2025, managing two League games before heading in for post-season surgery.
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STRENGTHS:
+ Agility
+ Evasiveness
+ Overhead marking
+ Smarts
+ Speed
+ X-factor
IMPROVEMENTS:
+ Consistency
+ Finishing
+ Strength
Walley’s strengths as a player derive from his athleticism and willingness to take the game on. As a forward, Walley showed he could play any role, succeeding as a high half-forward, crumbing forward or target forward. His elite speed and agility make him a nightmare at ground level, regularly using these traits to confidently weave out of trouble and create an opportunity for his side.
At WAFL Colts level, Walley’s composure and decision making were a class above, often biting off dangerous kicks or handballs with great success. Walley created opportunities from next to nothing, drawing in and evading defenders to open up space for his teammates to receive the ball. As the tempo rose at higher levels, Walley’s success did lessen, but he still showed that same desire to take the game on and generate scoring opportunities.
Inside forward 50, his goalkicking, especially from set shots, left room for improvement. Finishing with 12 goals from scoring shots at 38 per cent accuracy, Walley’s output often didn’t reflect the danger he posed with the ball. On top of his ability to cause havoc at ground level, Walley also used his speed and leap to be able to take lead-out or contested marks regularly despite his size.
Through the midfield, Walley uses his speed and agility to create space and provide an option for his teammates at the contest. Though his exposure to midfield time has been limited, there are promising signs for Walley to develop into a player who could split his time at AFL level between the forward and midfield, mostly as a pinch-hitter. To do so, he can continue to build his endurance tank and add strength - without limiting his smooth movement.
DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie
SUMMARY:
There’s a lot of potential for Walley to become one of the game’s premier small forwards, with his athleticism and evasiveness regularly on display, proving more successful than not at junior levels. Reminiscent of Michael Walters, it would be surprising to see West Coast let Walley slip to another club. The Eagles will hope he falls in line with their recent assistance package, which opened up additional rookie spots. Other clubs will be well aware of Walley’s upside, but know he enters the next preseason off shoulder surgery and with plenty to work on. Expect him to either attract a late bid in the National Draft, or fall through as a very handy rookie selection who could explode at the next level.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Western Australia | 5 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50 |
| 2025 | Western Australia | 17 | 11 | 28 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 7.0 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 32 |
| Total | - | 22 | 14 | 36 | 16 | 13 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 82 |
