The GIANTS have farewelled three players as part of their initial list changes, after Zach Sproule, Jake Stein and Jarrod Brander were informed they won’t be offered contracts for 2023.
GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney thanked the trio.
“We thank Zach, Jake and Jarrod for their contribution to the GIANTS across recent seasons,” he said.
“Zach has made a great contribution to our club, particularly off the field where he’s been a great teammate to have around the group.
“What Jake’s been able to achieve after coming to the sport quite late has been remarkable and we applaud him for his dedication and hard work to make it at AFL level.
“Jarrod has been a great addition to our group this season and it was a wonderful opportunity to welcome him back to the club after being part of our GIANTS Academy growing up.
“This is a hard time for these players, but we truly thank them for helping to build the GIANTS and wish them well for their next chapter.”
24-year-old Sproule joined the GIANTS in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft as a Category B rookie and NSW zone selection out of the GIANTS Academy in Albury.
Over his six years at the club the key forward played 17 games and kicked 13 goals after making his long-awaited debut in 2019.
Key defender Stein played 20 games across six seasons after signing with the club as a Category B rookie at the end of 2016.
Hailing from Penrith in Sydney’s west, Stein is a former Commonwealth Games decathlete who made the successful transition to AFL, winning the club's NEAFL Player of the Year in 2018.
Former GIANTS Academy graduate Brander was drafted to the West Coast Eagles with pick 13 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, playing 22 games over four seasons.
The 23-year-old returned home to the GIANTS this season, playing five games and winning the club’s VFL Player of the Year.
The GIANTS will announce further list changes and signings over the coming weeks.
The AFL Restricted Free Agency and Unrestricted Free Agency Period commences on September 30 with the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period running from October 3-12.
The NAB AFL Draft will be held on November 28 and 29.
