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Sport Nation
Cornes and Healy name the most underrated performers in 2025 so far
Jaiden Sciberras • May 29th, 2025 2:30 pm
SEN’s Kane Cornes has revealed a list of players he believes are having an underrated season in 2025.
Through 11 rounds so far this year, a number of players are beginning to put together strong seasons, with several players flying under the radar.
Kicking off the list, Cornes gave a special shoutout to Gold Coast defender Wil Powell.
The 25-year-old Sun has averaged 15 disposals, five marks and five intercepts per game, most recently holding St Kilda danger man Jack Higgins goalless for the first time this season.
“I looked at some of Wil Powell’s numbers,” Cornes told SEN’s Sportsday.
“I’m a big fan of the defender from the Gold Coast Suns and have been for a long time.
“I love a one-on-one duel in football, because we just don’t see them. Very rarely do we get a genuine one-on-one, in fact it’s rare.
“I was in Darwin for the Hawthorn-Gold Coast game and 'The Wizard' (Nick Watson) got him early, the Wizard was unbelievable. But they kept (Powell) on him, and he fought back in the second half. What a one-on-one duel.
“Then I saw him take care of (Jack) Higgins on the weekend. No one has taken care of Jack Higgins. Kept him goalless.
“This guy can play on medium-talls, he’s now taking the opposition's most dangerous small, and he’s having a very good year.”
Beyond Powell, Sportsday co-host Gerard Healy gave a shoutout to two of the AFL’s premier key defenders that he believes deserve recognition for their seasons thus far.
“I reckon (Callum) Wilkie has to be given some serious mentions. Sam Collins, I think he’s having a very good year,” he said.
Cornes and Healy agreed on the Bulldogs’ small forward Rhylee West, taking his game to a new level in the absence of Cody Weightman.
Cornes:“Rhylee West is a good one.”
Healy:“Best small forward ground ball getter in the game right now.”
Cornes:“He’s kicked 18 goals and his last six weeks have been huge.”
Collingwood’s Billy Frampton, Gold Coast’s Bodhi Uwland and Geelong pair Ollie Dempsey and Connor O’Sullivan were also given a shoutout for their underrated performances in 2025.
