Gippsland forward Wil Malady has put together an extremely strong body of work for the past three seasons.
Impressing as both a double bottom-ager and bottom-ager for the Power, playing as a deep forward, he spent this year higher up the ground at times, while still making his presence felt closer to goal.
He saved his best games for the biggest moments this year, kicking four goals in the APS Grand Final for Caulfield Grammar and five in the Talent League decider for Gippsland.
Malady's weapons are his speed, agility, and overhead marking ability. He can beat opponents on the lead and fly into or over packs. Due to his speed and running power, Malady is also seen by recruiters as a potential wing option, despite playing predominantly as a deep forward throughout his junior career.
Malady has shown this year that he doesn't need a lot of the ball to have an impact on games, whether that's by capitalising on goal-scoring chances, beating smaller opponents overhead and taller opponents for pace higher up the ground, or even by applying intense pressure on opponents with his speed and tenacity.
Malady has had plenty of impressive smothers this year and has even shown an accumulation ability at times for Caulfield.
Malady is rightly predicted to go early on the first night of the draft. He has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in this draft pool and could prove to be a damaging offensive force in the right role.
Strengths
Speed
Agility
Marking
Defensive pressure
High impact
Draft Range
Picks 8-15
Potential Landing Spot(s)
Gold Coast
St Kilda
Collingwood
Melbourne
Key Quote
"Topped off his year with a game-breaking second half in Gippsland Power's Talent League Grand Final win over the Dandenong Stingrays, booting five goals in the second half to confirm his ability to influence outcomes in big games." - Kevin Sheehan
