Inaugural VFL Captain Ryan Hebron has extended his commitment to the GIANTS until at least the end of 2023.

Playing 18 games in 2022, Hebron averaged 14.5 disposals, 11.1 kicks and 6.9 marks for the GIANTS. The 25-year-old kicked 21 goals for the season, coming in third highest behind Jake Riccardi and Zach Sproule.

He also suited up for his 100th VFL game in 2022, becoming first VFL player to reach the milestone for the GIANTS.

A Sydney local, Hebron attended St Ives on Sydney’s North Shore and was a member of the Swans Academy throughout his junior years.

After finishing school, Hebron followed the beaten path to the North Shore Bombers, where he went on to represent the Swans in the NEAFL 27 times from 2014-16 before moving to Sydney Uni to study physiology (treating illness through exercise), playing 39 games for the Students in 2017-18.

In 2019 he moved to Melbourne and signed with VFL side Werribee where he played under former GIANTS Assistant Coach Mark Williams.

With the announcement in 2021 that the VFL expansion would include NEAFL standalone teams alongside the Swans, GIANTS, Suns and Lions reserves, Hebron returned 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 in 2022 where he was also named as the team’s inaugural captain. 

GIANTS VFL Manager Sasha Aynbund had high praise for Hebron, whose experience will prove invaluable in the VFL competition.

“We’re really pleased to extend Ryan for another year,” Aynbund said.

“Ryan is an exceptional leader and his experience at VFL level is invaluable to the young demographic of our program.”