Former Swans defender, Barry O’Connor, has joined the GIANTS for the 2023 VFL season, with the Irishman signing a one-year deal.

O'Connor signed with the Swans as a category B international rookie in June 2019 after making the switch from Gaelic football. 

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted his development throughout 2020 and 2021, and he managed to firm up a role as a key defender in the Swans VFL team in 2022.

GIANTS VFL Coach, Wayne Cripps, said it was great to welcome O’Connor to the GIANTS.

“We’re really pleased to have Barry on board,” he said.

“Barry’s experience coming from another AFL and VFL program will be invaluable, and we’re confident he’ll play an important role for us this season.”

Delisted in late September, O’Connor returned to his homeland of Ireland over the Christmas break before deciding to continue his football career at the GIANTS.

“I wanted to give it another crack and the GIANTS just seemed like the perfect fit,” O’Connor said.

“I haven’t been here long but everyone from the playing group to the staff have been so welcoming, so it’s been great and I’m loving it.”

The 24-year-old is a familiar face for some of the GIANTS coaching staff, previously working with development coach Lloyd Perris, Academy coach Tadhg Kennelly and current assistant coach Jeremy Laidler.

“Lloyd Perris and Jeremy Laidler were my development coaches when I arrived at the Swans, and obviously Tadhg was my Irish connection at the club so to have all three of them here now is great,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to see some familiar faces and it’s made the transition a lot easier.”

The GIANTS have long had Irish representation, with Callum Brown currently representing the AFL program and the AFLW program led by Cora Staunton and Bríd Stack.

“There’s not many of us out here so we’re a pretty tightknit community,” O’Connor said.

“We all try and stay in touch, and I’ve had a few coffees with Cora and Bríd, they’re both incredible people and held in high regard at the GIANTS and back home in Ireland.

“I meet him (Callum Brown) through the AFL system, and we’ve played against each other a lot so it’s great to be able to train alongside him.”

Essendon will host the GIANTS in Round 1 of the VFL season at the NEC Hangar at 2:05pm on Sunday March 26.