BFNL: Barwon Heads star Luke Davis says Oli Wiltshire should chase AFL dream

A star Seagull has been implored to chase a footy dream after reports surfaced about AFL clubs’ interest in the mature-aged prospect.

Brock Close and Oliver Wiltshire. Picture: Alan Barber

Les Ash Medalist Luke Davis believes one of his young teammates should chase the dream of playing professional football after being linked to an AFL club this season.

Seagull Oli Wiltshire was reported to be the target of Geelong for a rookie list spot after a stunning season in the BFNL, becoming one of the competition’s best goal-kicking midfielders.

Davis said he did not regret his move to a greater competition when he left Barwon Heads for South Barwon in the GFNL, but Wiltshire’s trajectory could be even greater.

“I obviously didn’t see him play much last year, but this year seriously he’s a star,” he said.

“I think if you put 5-10 kilos on him he’d be the best player going around anywhere, up forward he reads the ball well in the air, kicks goals, in the mids he gives us a different look, he’s good inside because he’s clean, but he’s good outside because he is really quick, so where do you like him?

Oliver Wiltshire kicks a goal against Modewarre. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I’d love to play footy with him but … last year when I signed on I said to him ‘if you want to go higher that’s probably the best thing for you’ and at the end of the day it’s up to him, but I think he can play a lot higher level footy and if he asks me about it I’d be telling him to go higher for sure.”

Wiltshire played at the Geelong Falcons in 2021 but was far from a star at the level, averaging just 9.7 disposals and 2.3 tackles in his seven games as a top-age prospect.

He ranked seventh in the preseason testing for agility across the potential draft class in 2020.

But the 20 year old, who is set to celebrate his 21st birthday on Friday, has put on substantial size after ending his draft year as a 180cm, 67kg prospect.

Wiltshire is an apparent target for AFL clubs like Geelong. Picture: Mark Wilson

Wiltshire is now just shy of 190cm and has added size to his frame while keeping his athletic traits, causing the young star to dominate across the BFNL season.

He finished seventh in the competition for goals kicked this season, slotting 51 across 18 games despite playing as a midfielder for the majority of the year.

Wiltshire booted 12 goals against Modewarre in round 4, as well as four other games with five majors each.

“He’s so clean with the ball, he’s so wiry, he kicked 12 goals against Modewarre, he kicks bags and he gets clean marks, he’s a good kick of the ball,” Davis said.

“He’s just a really smart, intuitive player, I think he’ll go a really long way, it’s really exciting.”

Originally published as BFNL: Barwon Heads star Luke Davis says Oli Wiltshire should chase AFL dream