Ryan Hebron has been appointed as the inaugural captain of the GIANTS VFL team.
A Sydney local who has represented the Swans, Werribee and now the GIANTS VFL sides, Hebron boasts maturity and on-field leadership beyond his years.
Having arrived at the Club from cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans during the off-season, Hebron is looking forward to getting stuck into what he hopes is an undisrupted season following two years heavily impacted by COVID.
“I felt like the time was right for a new environment,” Hebron said of his move to the GIANTS.
“The opportunity to work under Lloyd Perris and Damian Truslove was a big factor in getting me across and I’ve loved every minute of my experience so far.”
After graduating from the Swans Academy, Hebron had stints in the NEAFL with the Swans and Sydney University, where he was named in the Team of the Year twice and won Sydney Uni’s Best and Fairest award.
In 2019 Hebron moved to Melbourne and signed with VFL side Werribee where he played under former GIANTS Assistant Coach Mark Williams.
And with the announcement early last year that the VFL expansion would include NEAFL standalone teams alongside the Swans, GIANTS, Suns and Lions reserves, it seemed destined that Hebron would return to NSW to where it all began.
He returned to the Swans for the 2021 VFL season, before making the decision to join the GIANTS.
The 25-year-old said he was surprised to have been given the captaincy in just his first season at the GIANTS but is looking forward to the challenge.
“It is a bit surprising but I’m very honoured,” he said.
“Not being in the full-time program it can be pretty hard to balance work and footy sometimes, but you’ve got to find the time if you want to compete at a higher level.
“I’ve been doing it for a long time now so I’m excited to use my experience and knowledge to help the younger boys develop and thrive in this environment.
“We have a great young group, full of ambition and potential and I can’t wait to run out with the boys in the charcoal and orange for the first time this weekend."
The GIANTS kick off their 2022 VFL season this weekend against Port Melbourne at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday, March 27 at 2:05pm.
More details regarding live stream details still to come.
