Carlingford local Kieren Briggs has been drafted by the GWS Giants

“It’s just sort of that childhood dream.” New GWS Giants draftee and Carlingford resident and former Pennant Hills Demon Kieren Briggs is ready to make the most of his AFL opportunity.

Kieren Briggs from Carlingford has been drafted by the GWS Giants. Pictures: Angelo Velardo

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Thanks to buckets of determination and confidence, along with a healthy dose of talent, Kieren Briggs willed his childhood dream to fruition.

The 19-year-old from Carlingford was taken with pick 34 by the GWS Giants in last month’s AFL Draft.

I’m actually still really excited, I think all the emotions of getting drafted are still rolling through,” Briggs said.

“It was a bit weird for me because I got invited down for the Thursday night but didn’t get taken.

“Overnight I sort of knew that I’d probably end up here but it still wasn’t a certain thing but as soon as it happened on Friday it was a big relief.”

The 19-year-old is one of six new draftees who were picked up by the club at the 2018 AFL Draft.

Briggs’ selection was a redemption story of sorts.

After getting his first taste of Aussie rules with the Pennant Hills Demons when he was 11, the 200cm ruckman was immediately hooked.

Briggs starred at the junior level for the Demons before joining the Giants academy when he was 13.

His game blossomed from there and he quickly found himself eligible for the 2017 draft.

But coming off two knee surgeries and a delayed pre-season proved a substantial roadblock for Briggs and, after the Giants assured him of his position in the academy, he decided to return to club footy with Pennant Hills.

Briggs began his Aussie rules career with the Pennant Hills Demons when he was 11.

That move turned out to be the most important of his young career.

He quickly rebounded to career-best form, winning the premiership with Demons and eventually being named the All-Australian ruckman at the 2018 AFL Under-18 National Championships.

This time last year I probably knew I wasn’t ready to be on a list but I put the work in over the summer and had a really strong year,” Briggs said.

“It was a pretty tough time the year before that but I sort of expected it, so when I got the chance to do my A-grade year I took the opportunity with both hands and got back into a good spot.”

He was projected as one of the top ruckmen in this year’s class.

Although he’s still coming to terms with the magnitude of pulling on the orange, charcoal and white guernsey, Briggs said he knows the hard work is only just beginning.

“It’s sort of just that childhood dream,” he said.

“It’s all about improving and developing at the moment but if I can get the chance to get out (on the field) I’ll take it with both hands.”