Wil Powell was determined to be drafted by AFL club after he was snubbed by WA under-18 selectors

WIL Powell was a shock first round selection by Gold Coast but the West Australian was given extra motivation to find another level in his game that attracted the Suns.

New Gold Coast Suns players Wil Powell and Brayden Crossley. Picture: Jerad Williams

GOLD Coast’s shock first round draft selection Wil Powell says the frustration at being snubbed by his home state representative selectors helped him find the other level that attracted the Suns.

Powell said when he could not even convince officials for the West Australian under-18 side to give him a trial, he turned all his attention to his final year in the colts for his WAFL club Claremont.

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Given he played no part in the national carnival and stuck with colts footy instead of pushing for WAFL senior selection, Powell was considered the bolter of the draft when the Suns used their first pick No.19, received from Geelong in the trade for former skipper Gary Ablett, on the lightly built utility.

“I was trying to get into the state 18s squad, but didn’t crack into it, didn’t get offered any trial matches or anything, which disappointed me,” Powell said.

“But I guess that made me try a bit harder throughout the colts and put my head down and train a bit harder and I eventually got where I wanted to get in the end.”

Gold Coast first round selection Wil Powell was snubbed by WA selectors. Picture: Jerad Williams

Although he arrives with little reputation when measured against other first round draftees, he also comes with an impressive highlight reel and flattering comparisons to gun Sun Jack Martin, who has finished in the top three of the past two club champion vote counts.

Despite his lean frame, Martin quickly proved himself to be one of the Suns’ best contested players and it is coping with the physicality against men that is the one unknown about Powell.

Powell is confident he can add the strength needed to hold his own at AFL level and revealed he has done next to no gym training throughout his junior career.

“I’m trying to put some meat on, I’ve been eating like a horse every day,’’ he said.

“I reckon I will do pretty well with a bit more size on me.’’

Powell has been compared to Suns teammates Jack Martin. Picture: Getty Images

Suns coach Stuart Dew said he had watched tape of Powell in his first week at the job and was unfazed that he was considered a shock selection by outsiders.

“It’s only a number. If we didn’t take him, someone else would have, no doubt about it,’’ he said.

“Even if it was just us that were willing to grab him, what we saw was enough to get him to the footy club.”

Ablett revealed he had taken the vacant No.4 of retired premiership teammate Andrew Mackie who was the first to contact him when the trade was finalised.