One of the brightest prospects on the GIANTS' young list, Shiel is a tough, talented onballer who cites fellow Caulfield Grammar attendee Chris Judd as his idol. Averaged 30 disposals per game with Dandenong in the 2010 TAC Cup. Following foot problems and a pre-season appendectomy, Shiel did well to make it to the starting line for round one. The talented midfielder played 12 of the club's opening 13 games, underlined by a 21-possession, two-goal effort against Geelong that led to a Rising Star nomination. His foot problems would re-appear late in the season, however, sidelining him for the final nine games of the year. If he can get on top of his injury issues, Shiel is one of the brightest onball prospects in the game. Cut down by a quad injury early last season, Shiel quickly made up for lost time upon his return. Playing 16 consecutive games, he averaged 23 possessions, 4.8 tackles and 3.8 marks a game, all career highs. Combining speed on the outside with an ability to break the lines, Shiel remains on track for stardom. The explosive midfielder missed just one game last year and was the GIANTS' best game-breaker, with his speed and ability to carry the ball his biggest weapon. Shiel gathered 639 possessions at an average of 27.8 a game, kicked 13 goals and was ranked second at the club for total metres gained. Was elevated into the GWS leadership group last year, finished sixth in the best and fairest and is one of the emerging stars capable of helping the GIANTS to their first flag this year. The gun midfielder resisted plenty of offers to re-sign with the GIANTS during the 2015 season and was on track for All Australian honours until a knee injury against St Kilda in round 15 ended his year. Shiel averaged more than 26 touches a game and polled the three Brownlow Medal votes on two occassions, with his blistering pace and classy foot skills a highlight. He had 25 possessions or more in 11 of the 14 games he played - with five of those 30 or more - and finished seventh in the best and fairest. Turned his back on the chance to leave the GIANTS and re-committed to the club and will be desperate to repeat the brilliant start he made last year.Player Partner The explosive midfielder enhanced his standing in the game last year with another consistent season. Was rewarded with selection in the All-Australian team for the first time and finished fourth in the best and fairest. Shiel was ranked second at the GIANTS for contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s and third for disposals and formed part of an outstanding on-ball division without missing a game for the first time in his six years in the competition. Averaged 26.2 touches, 6.4 clearances and 4.3 inside 50s a game in 2017, a remarkable feat considering he received plenty of attention from opposition sides. Excels around the stoppages where his speed off the mark and ability to break tackles is outstanding. With his injury troubles a thing of the past, Shiel emerged as a key member of the GIANTS’ midfield, playing 21 games and averaging just under 20 possessions a contest. Capped by a 25-disposal, three-goal effort against the Western Bulldogs in round 15 and fourth place in the best and fairest, Shiel continued his progress towards becoming one of the AFL’s elite on-ballers.At a Glance Junior Clubs: Edithvale-Aspendale Debut: 2012 Recruited From: Edithvale-Aspendale/Caulfield Grammar/Dandenong Stingrays Brownlow Votes: 26 Community Ambassador: Greystanes GoannasPlayer Bio Dylan Shiel is a classy on-baller who assured his place on the GIANTS' list with an eight-goal performance from the midfield whilst playing school football for Caulfield Grammar against Haileybury College on a wet Saturday in June 2010. The former Dandenong Stingray was pre-selected by the GIANTS as a 17-year-old and moved to Sydney in 2011 to begin his AFL career with the GIANTS. Shiel made his AFL debut in Round 1, 2012 and was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award later in his first season. Shiel was named in the GIANTS’ emerging leaders group before the 2014 season and became an official member of the leadership group ahead of the 2016 season. 2017 was Shiel's best season yet as he was selected in the Virgin Australia All Australian team for the first time.
