GIANTS ruckman Kieren Briggs and exciting draftee Josaia Delana are looking to continue to inspire the next generation of AFL footballers in Western Sydney.

The GIANTS Academy duo – who both hail from Western Sydney – paid a special visit to Briggs’ former school on Tuesday - North Rocks Primary School - as the GIANTS look to continue to break ground and bring awareness to the game of Australian Rules football in the region.

Now one of the competition’s best ruckman, Briggs spoke on Tuesday about the joy he felt as he returned to his former school looking to inspire the next generation of AFL footballers.

“I obviously grew up here in Western Sydney and it’s great to get back and bring footy back out here again as it’s a growing game out here and it's great to see,” Briggs said.

“In my early days AFL wasn’t such a big sport out here but thanks to the GIANTS, the GIANTS Academy, and AFL NSW, it’s managed to grow exponentially over the last 10 years and I’ve been able to see that first-hand.

“Having lived in Western Sydney and growing up and going to school at North Rocks, it’s great to see participation levels in AFL growing and fans getting to ENGIE Stadium, it’s great to see for the sport and the fans.”

Briggs – who grew up in Pennant Hills - said providing young kids with inspiration to play AFL was a special feeling.

“My parents live two minutes around the corner from here so it’s definitely surreal being back and seeing kids that now want to play AFL and follow the same pathway as me,” he said.

“Being able to be a role model for the kids is great, they can see it in the flesh and knowing I was once here myself.”

Briggs added that the large number of AFL fans at Tuesday’s visit was touching to see.

“It’s really pleasing and comforting to see kids with a Sherrin or wearing GIANTS hats rather than NRL hats, and seeing the game growing continually, is really exciting.

“When I first went to school there wasn’t many people who knew about AFL and seeing that change and shift, and for us to get sell-out crowds, has been great to see and something we are really proud of.

“It’s showing the [impact of the] work the AFL and AFL NSW has been able to do to integrate into schools that have traditionally been NRL or rugby union heartland.”

Delana, who went to Oakhill College in Castle Hill and played his junior footy at the Kellyville Magpies, said he and Briggs’ journeys showed youth in Western Sydney that they too could make it to the elite level.

“To be able to inspire young kids and pick up a Sherrin and give it a go, it’s a feel-good moment,” the teenager said.

“Originally AFL was a very foreign sport to us in Western Sydney, but the GIANTS Academy was that elite pathway for me to grow and develop and provide that extra guidance that I needed.

“The kids in Western Sydney need to give themselves a chance to play in the AFL and for ‘Briggsy’ and myself that worked out.

“Rugby league, soccer and rugby union were the main sports growing up…AFL was a bit of an outsider sport that none of my friends knew how to play. But then over the years the game itself has grown and developed and become a major competitor in Western Sydney.

“There so much opportunity in AFL which is not yet discovered but it’s growing in Western Sydney and it’s only going to continue to grow.”

The 18-year-old small forward, who is known for his fun personality and his cheeky smile, said that his newfound life as an AFL footballer had been a dream come true after being drafted to the club in November’s AFL Draft.

“I couldn’t stop smiling. I had a grin on my face from ear to ear,” he said recollecting on the moment the GIANTS drafted him.

“Looking at the boys you watch on tv and who you sit on the other side of the fence and cheer for, and now you’re part of the boys that gets cheered on.

“The culture is really good at the GIANTS and they’re very welcoming and a very family-orientated club and I’mloving it.

“I’m not too focused on debuting early or anything, I’m focused on doing my part, playing my role, and making myself better.”

The GIANTS will open their 2025 campaign with a blockbuster clash with the Magpies at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday, March 9.