Will Verrall Draft Profile

South AdelaideRuck Forward

#44

Will Verrall

height: 199cm

weight: 95kg

D.O.B: 11-03-2004

Leagues: SANFL Under 18s, AFL U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A well-performed ruckman who has captured the attention of recruiters with his athleticism and involvement around the ground.”

South Adelaide ruckman Will Verrall has been on the radar of recruiters for several years following a strong junior career. Hailing from the Christies Beach Football Club – the same junior club as last year’s number one pick Jason Horne-Francis – Verrall produced an outstanding bottom-aged season in 2021 at SANFL U18 level. Given the responsibility of leading the ruck division, Verrall was a mainstay of a talented Panthers side, averaging 23.4 hitouts in 15 games as South Adelaide got within two kicks of a Preliminary Final berth.

Entering the year as one of the best ruck prospects in the country, Verrall’s pre-season was hampered by a groin injury. It took him a couple of weeks to find his form, but the ruckman still managed to play 13 matches and suit up for South Australia in the Croweaters’ final game at the Under 18 National Championships. His body of work over the past couple of years also saw him invited to test at the National Combine in Melbourne.

STRENGTHS:

+ Contested work
+ Mobility
+ Overhead marking
+ Upside
+ Vertical leap

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Endurance
- Forward craft

Will Verrall is among the best tall athletes in the draft pool, particularly for a player of his size. Measuring in a 199cm and 92kg, Verrall is an imposing physical presence who proved difficult to manoeuvre at SANFL Under 18 level where he often competed against slighter opponents. A very mobile ruckman, Verrall's strength, combined with his terrific leap saw him place amongst the top three in total hitouts two years running. Verrall recently managed the third highest running vertical jump at the national combine with an impressive leap of 90cm. Importantly, Verrall makes use of his athletic traits in-game to beat the opposition, whether it be in the air or at ground level.

Although he'll no doubt require some fine-tuning if he makes it to the next level, Verrall is a smart ruckman who positions himself well in the contest. He is a strong mark overhead and a very competent contested grab, without being totally dominant in the air. However Verrall's most attractive work comes once the ball hits the deck. The line has become a cliche with tall players, but Verrall truly does become an extra midfielder in general play, with his agility, willingness to get involved in handball chains and confidence with ball in-hand ensuring he averaged a strong 15.5 disposals across both the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Under 18 level. He is a sound user of the ball by hand and foot and a strong clearance winner, averaging almost five per game this year.

Coming into the 2022 season, Verrall would have been eager to make a bigger impact on the scoreboard after he booted just three goals in 15 matches in his bottom-aged year. However he spent more time in attack this year and clearly improved in the area, kicking two bags of three for a tally of 12. Although he projects as a ruckman at this stage, he has shown some promise as a key forward and possesses the athleticism to adapt to the position. Like most ruckman drafted, Verrall is a couple of years away from playing senior football, with his endurance running a pre-season or two away from being at the required level.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

SUMMARY:

Will Verrall joins fellow South Australian Harry Barnett in being two of the leading ruck prospects out of the state. Both are fine athletes who are very capable of winning their own ball around the ground and influencing the game in general play. Verrall’s season was interrupted by some injury complaints, but he worked his way into things nicely and was rewarded for a excellent two years in the SANFL Under 18 competition with an invite to the draft combine, which indicates he has some interest from recruiting staff. Verrall is expected to enter considerations late in the piece for a club requiring a project ruck/forward with a handful of exciting tools.