Gold Coast SUNS defender Wil Powell’s breakout season has been rewarded with a second-place finish in the 2021 Club Champion.

Powell finished the night on 396 votes ahead of third-placed David Swallow on 352 and behind Club Champion Touk Miller who recorded 562 votes.

It’s been a career-best year for the fourth-year SUN who was also named in the AFLPA 22Under22 team for the first time.

Powell played all 22 games and locked down his role in defence, averaging 18 disposals and five marks per game.

His best performance according to the coaches came in Round 10 against Geelong, where he polled 29 votes for his 20 disposals, 11 intercepts and six marks.

Powell has also earned the respect of his peers after being nominated for the AFL Players’ Association MVP award and the Most Courageous award.

This marks Powell’s first time finishing in the top three in the Club Champion.