Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and now Tom Boyd. Welcome to the Land of the GIANTS.
The GIANTS added another weapon to their growing arsenal of young forwards with the selection of number one pick Tom Boyd at tonight's NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast.
The 18 year-old from Eastern Ranges/Norwood FC in Victoria stands at 200 centremetres and weighs 103 kilograms and will join Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton in the GIANTS' forward line for 2014.
The GIANTS added more depth to their midfield with their number two selection, 18 year-old Josh Kelly from the Sandringham Dragons/East Brighton.
They also drafted 18 year-old tall forward Cameron McCarthy from South Fremantle with selection 14 and Rory Lobb, a 20 year-old ruckman from Swan Districts with selection 29.
The GIANTS also promoted young midfielder Zac Williams from their rookie list and drafted 18 year-old Jake Barrett from Temora in the Riverina as a New South Wales zone selection player.
GIANTS National Recruitment and List Manager Stephen Silvagni said the club was delighted to secure some of the finest young talent in Australia.
"Tonight caps off a very productive off season for the GIANTS. We secured experienced players during the Trade Period in Heath Shaw, Shane Mumford and Josh Hunt and now we have complemented that with an exciting mix of young players in this draft," he said.
"As number one pick Tom Boyd will provide us with another strong presence in our forward line alongside Jeremy Cameron and Jon Patton and someone who can also play in the ruck when required.
"As number two selection Josh Kelly is an elite running midfielder who has terrific composure and we are very confident he will develop into an excellent AFL player.
"We now look forward to selecting former Swans forward Jed Lamb in the forthcoming pre-season draft and finalising what we think is an exciting list as we prepare for 2014."
The GIANTS are also pleased to announce that Tom Boyd will be sponsored by T.I Hospitality which has a proud history spanning more than two decades in the hospitality and catering industry. To find out more go to www.tihospitality.com.au
GIANTS chief executive David Matthews welcomed the new draftees to the club and wished them every success for their careers.
“Tonight these young men have realised their ambition to be drafted by an AFL club. The GIANTS will now do everything we can to support, develop and help them take the next step and achieve their dream to play AFL football,” he said.
“With our excellent accommodation facilities at Breakfast Point, the strong culture we’ve already developed throughout the club and the state of the art training base we will shortly open at Sydney Olympic Park, we’re confident they will settle in to the club and enjoy long and successful careers at the GIANTS.
“I also want to acknowledge all the junior clubs and coaches who have helped develop these young players and the AFL for the talent pathway it has helped create.
“A big thank you also to the parents and families of these young men who have given so much of their time to help them get to where they are today. We trust they also enjoy this special moment.
"It's a been a big few months for the club with the recruiting of a number of mature age players, the signing of a new co-major sponsor Virgin Australia and now securing some of the best young talent in the country.
"I think all GIANTS fans can look forward to 2014 with a tremendous sense of optimism and we can't wait to take on the Swans at GIANTS Stadium on March 15."
The following players were drafted by the GIANTS (in overall selection order)
1. Tom Boyd
2. Josh Kelly
14. Cameron McCarthy
29. Rory Lobb
95. Zac Williams (promoted rookie)
97. Jake Barrett (NSW Zone Selection)
The GIANTS will kick off the 2014 season against the Sydney Swans in the Battle of the Bridge at GIANTS Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday March 15
Stand Tall with the GIANTS and become a 2014 member now by going to membership.gwsgiants.com.au or calling 1300 GIANTS.
