By Nick Wright
Wil Powell vowed to redeem himself when he was handed a five-match ban by the AFL for issuing a homophobic slur towards a Brisbane Lions player last year.
The 26-year-old pledged to let his actions do the talking and ensure his Gold Coast teammates knew he was a man they could rely on in their quest for a maiden finals berth.
Whatever he has done clearly had an impact, with the Suns playing group voting him into the club’s leadership circle – alongside Matt Rowell, Ben King, vice-captains Touk Miller and Sam Collins and sole skipper Noah Anderson.
Powell was suspended for directing a homophobic slur at a Brisbane Lion in May, but has sought to redeem himself through his actions and has been elevated to the Suns’ leadership. Credit: Getty Images
Speaking at Marymount College during the Suns’ Community Camps program, Powell declared he was ready to shoulder the responsibility that came with being one of the faces of the club.
He was adamant he would enter the 2025 season a more accomplished player and person after his period of growth and reflection – one determined to inspire the next generation of Suns to success.
“I went through my education, and I’ve really bought into the communities I affected. I’m just trying to teach the younger boys, and the boys around the club, wrong is wrong and right is right,” Powell said.
“What I went through last year and the suspension, I’ve learnt from that and become a better person. I have a better idea of how to lead and how to deal with those situations as well.
“It’s about building that all-inclusive system and club. I think I’m at an age now where blokes look up to me and the way I train and play is the way blokes want to train and play as well.
“It’s very humbling [to be in the leadership group], growing up as a young fella you look up to the leaders, and you follow their lead.”
Wil Powell
“I can teach and lead the young fellas and build them into the footballers they want to be. It’s a big step-up in commitment, but I feel I’m definitely ready.”
After 105 games for the side since his 2018 debut, Powell has emerged as a consistent presence on the Glitter Strip, where he will remain until at least the end of 2029.
The future, however, is less certain for Rowell.
Off contract at season’s end, Rowell has been linked with a return home to Victoria – Essendon, Collingwood and Geelong all reportedly hunting his services.
Despite the conjecture, the 23-year-old – who finished fifth for total clearances and second for tackles in 2024 – declared his desire to remain on the Gold Coast.
“To be honest, I’m not worrying about that at the moment. I’m just focusing on training well and getting ready for the season,” Rowell said.
“I’m committed to the Suns, and just focused on the season coming up. Obviously, that will just happen when we get to it … there’s no timeline on it.
“We want to have success this year, we want to make finals, we want to be a serious footy team and … when you come up against us, you know it’s going to be a tough battle.”