Wikipedia

Will Graham (footballer)

Will Graham is a professional Australian rules footballer who was selected by the Gold Coast Suns with pick 26 in the 2023 AFL draft.[1]

Will Graham
Personal information
Full name Will Graham
Date of birth (2005-07-27) 27 July 2005 (age 19)
Place of birth Gold Coast, Queensland
Original team(s) Palm Beach Currumbin (QAFL) / Gold Coast Suns Academy (Talent League)
Draft No. 26, 2023 AFL draft
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club Gold Coast
Number 26
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2024– Gold Coast 17 (8)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2024.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

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Graham was born and raised on the Gold Coast[2] where he attended Palm Beach Currumbin State High School throughout his teenage years.[3] He began playing junior football at six years of age when signed up to play for the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions alongside future AFL teammates Jed Walter and Ethan Read.[4] Graham joined the Gold Coast Suns Academy at 12 years of age[5] and has stated he is a lifelong Suns fan as well as being a foundation member of the club when it entered the AFL in 2011.[6]

In June 2021, at 15 years of age, Graham became the youngest player to ever debut for the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions senior QAFL team.[7] In 2023, he was a member of the historic first Allies team to win the U18 National Championship in 2023[8] and moved in first round draft contention with an impressive performance in the 2023 AFL Draft Combine, which included top three finishes in the 20m sprint, the standing vertical leap as well as the running vertical leap.[9] He would be drafted to his hometown team the Gold Coast Suns with pick 26 in the 2023 AFL draft after the club decided to match a bid from the Adelaide Crows.[10]

AFL career

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Graham made his AFL debut for the Suns at 18 years of age in round 4 of the 2024 season against the Greater Western Sydney Giants in Mount Barker.[11]

He received a Rising Star nomination after Round 16 of the 2024 season.[12]

Statistics

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Statistics are correct to the end of 2024[13]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2024 Gold Coast 17 17 8 3 91 127 218 31 81 0.5 0.2 5.4 7.5 12.8 1.8 4.8
Career 17 8 3 91 127 218 31 81 0.5 0.2 5.4 7.5 12.8 1.8 4.8

References

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  1. ^ "Graham drafted by Suns". Gold Coast Suns. 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  2. ^ "Will Graham Extends". Gold Coast Suns. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  3. ^ "Six Queenslanders selected in the 2023 AFL Draft". AFL Queensland. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  4. ^ "Behind the Draft - Get to know Will Graham". Gold Coast Suns. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  5. ^ "Long-time Suns fan inspired by Pies gun as he waits for draft call". Australian Football League. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  6. ^ "Lifelong SUNS fan lives out boyhood dream". Gold Coast Suns. 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  7. ^ "In pictures – 2021 QAFL photo gallery". Courier Mail. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  8. ^ "What the Allies' victory means for Queensland footy". AFL Queensland. 2023-07-11. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  9. ^ "2023 AFL Draft Combine testing results". Australian Football League. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  10. ^ "'Bidney' at it again in 2023: Your club's bidding history". Australian Football League. 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  11. ^ Smith, Martin (2024-04-07). "Suns stars set for new roles as Dimma lauds sprightly display". Australian Football League. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  12. ^ Whiting, Michael. "Double delight: Suns young gun inks extension and earns Rising Star nod". AFL. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Will Graham". AFL Tables. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
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