The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS are pleased to announce that talented 20-year-old midfielder Tom Scully will join the GIANTS in 2012.
Scully, one of the most exciting young players in the AFL, now joins Callan Ward, Rhys Palmer and Phil Davis for the club’s inaugural season.
In his short career, Scully has already amassed an impressive list of achievements, including selection in the All-Australian Under 18 side in both 2008 and 2009, number one draft pick for the Melbourne Football Club in 2009, Runner up in the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star award and Best First Year Player at Melbourne in 2010.
GIANTS CEO, Dale Holmes officially welcomed Scully to the club at the GIANTS’ new training facility in Blacktown and applauded the young player’s promising talent and the leadership he will bring to the club.
“Tom is quite simply an outstanding talent. As a person, having now spent some time with him, you see the quality of the young man that he is and he will be an integral part of our future at the GIANTS.
“Our list and recruitment managers believe that Tom Scully was the best young player available and we think he’s going to be an incredible asset to this club.
“Both mentally and physically he’s had a very tough year for a young player. He missed 12 games with injury and he’s had to deal with intense scrutiny surrounding his future. It’s a testament to his character to see how well he has handled the pressure and to get out there and do what he’s done this year.
“Tom is a strong and driven young man who has been able to achieve a lot through out his junior career. In his first season to finish in the top 10 of his club’s best and fairest is no small feat.
“Given a new lease on life and a hopefully an injury free run, I think he’s going to be an extraordinary talent for the Club and I think we’ll see the best from Tom Scully.”
Scully was supported by his family at today’s announcement and said that he was excited to join the GIANTS and make history with the Club in its inaugural season.
“For me this was obviously a difficult decision to leave my friends, family and of course the Melbourne Football Club and not one I made lightly. In the end it’s not often you get an opportunity to be a part of something new from the outset, to start a team from scratch.
“Coming from Melbourne to Western Sydney, it is new AFL territory and I get to be a part of building the game up here which I see as a privilege because this is the game that I love. I’m looking forward to facing the challenges that come with that.
“I know there are going to be people disappointed in my decision and I understand that. The Melbourne Football Club gave me a great introduction to my career and were an incredible support. I want to thank all of the coaches, players, staff and of course the supporters for the last two years. For me though it’s all about getting ready for this new stage in my career.”
Scully said the opportunity to play and develop with the talented group of players that the GIANTS will have access to through their list and draft concessions is something that he is excited about.
“I’m under no illusion that this is going to be easy first year in, but the challenge is something I am looking forward to. One of the appealing things as well is that this is all a bit of an unknown as far as what’s going to happen.
“You only need to look at the collective history and experience of the coaching and football department to know that this young group will be in great hands. Their knowledge is going to be so valuable to such a young list. It’s going to take time, but they’ve all been in the game long enough to know how to approach the next few years.”
Scully will move to Western Sydney and join the GIANTS for their first pre season in November 2011.
Click here to view Scully's new player profile
