When Jonathan Giles was given his marching orders by Port Adelaide in 2009, he could have been forgiven for thinking his dream of playing AFL was over.
Giles, who was drafted with selection 70 in 2005 Draft, had spent four frustrating years on the Port list without playing a game.
Enter the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS.
Looking for a ruckman, the GIANTS threw Giles a lifeline and he played in the club’s inaugural season in the NEAFL before finally making his AFL debut in 2012.
Three years later Giles is set to become the first GIANT to play 50 games when the club takes on West Coast this Sunday.
“It’s great reward for a lot of hard work,” coach Leon Cameron said. “Those sort of adversities he’s had to face throughout his footy career has helped to get to where he is today.”
A South Australian native, the 201cm ruckman was drafted from Central District at the age of 17 but couldn’t get a game behind current GIANTS assistant coach Dean Brogan and All-Australian ruckman Brendon Lade.
After being delisted, Giles moved SANFL clubs to Sturt, took out their Best and Fairest award in 2010 and earned another shot at the big time.
“You always have those doubts, getting delisted is a pretty hard thing to swallow,” he said.
“You do think will I ever get back into the system or will I be able to get another chance? You just try to work as hard as you can to give yourself that opportunity and I was fortunate enough to get that second chance here.”
He is proud to have been involved with the GIANTS since its inception.
“It’s exciting to be part of it from day one. We started off out at Blacktown and the facilities weren’t anywhere near what we have today.
“Watching the other players develop as well - Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel, some of these guys that have been from day one as well, it’s been great for us guys to be sticking together and hopefully if we keep working hard we’ll see the results.
“It’s a new club, a new culture, it’s part of an exciting group that are working really hard to get better and to achieve great things.”
After making his debut for the GIANTS in Round 1, 2012, Giles’ career has flourished, playing 20 games and finishing fifth in the club’s Best and Fairest in his debut year and then playing every game last year.
Against the Eagles in Perth this Sunday Giles will beat co-captain and housemate Callan Ward to the 50-game milestone in an important moment for the club.
“He works really hard, he’s really popular amongst the group and it’s a great story, and it’s well-deserved,” Cameron said.
“To play 50 games, and be the first GIANTS player to play 50 games, is a great achievement.”
Giles has come a long way in nine years.
“When I first came here I was just wanting to play a game, get one or two games together, three, then string a few more and play some good footy,” Giles said.
“You don’t really think about getting to 50 or being the first.”
Jonathan Giles’ Career
2005 - Drafted by Port Adelaide at pick 70 in the NAB AFL National Draft as a 17-year-old
2006-2009 - On the Port Adelaide list but does not play a senior game
2009 - Delisted by Port Adelaide
2010 - Played for Sturt in the SANFL, winning the club’s Best and Fairest Award
2010 - Selected by the GIANTS at pick 3 in the 2010 NAB AFL Rookie Draft
2011 - Plays for the GIANTS in the NEAFL competition
2012 - Played in the GIANTS first AFL game in Round 1 v Swans, ended with 20 games for the year and finished fifth in the Best and Fairest
2013 - Played all 22 games for the year, finishing ninth in the AFL for total hit-outs
2014 - Becomes the first GIANTS player to play 50 games for the club
