AFL 2023: Local product Kieren Briggs signs new contract with GWS Giants

Kieren Briggs is the breakout star of the Giants’ 2023 season and a SuperCoach cult hero, and the kid from in Western Sydney has been rewarded for his incredible year.

It might have taken 12 seasons, but it’s the story that proves the Giants are making massive inroads in Western Sydney.

Kieren Briggs has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension to extend his stay at GWS through to the end of 2026.

The 23-year-old ruckman has been the breakout star of the Giants’ season after coming into the team in round 10.

He’s the No.1 ruck in the competition for clearances (6.6) and inside-50s (3.9) in that time and has gained a reputation for his ability to match it with some of the best ruckmen in the AFL.

But, most importantly for the club, he’s a local product. He played junior footy for the Pennant Hills Demons before he became just the second Giants Academy player from Western Sydney to be picked up by the club at the 2018 draft.

“It’s incredible (that he was) part of our Academy, but even more so that he’s an Academy product from here in Western Sydney,” Giants head of footy Jason McCartney said.

“It’s really special because our Academy has served us well over a long period of time, and will continue to do so, but we’d love a sharper focus and more talent out of the Western Sydney component, so Kieren is a great story.

“It’s great to have a local boy that’s starting to shine through at the AFL level.”

Kieren Briggs had another strong showing in his finals debut against Rowan Marshall and St Kilda. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Briggs informed his teammates at the end of training on Thursday and was quickly met with enthusiastic back slaps and cheers, a sign of how integral he now is to this Giants’ side.

They have won 11 of 15 games since his inclusion and Briggs is a big reason why they are now preparing for a semi-final against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

“We were a little uncertain at that period of time (before round 10),” Adam Kingsley said. “Kieren was really strong in the VFL, so we thought we’d give him an opportunity.

“As we can all see, he hasn’t looked back for us.

“His competitiveness in the ruck, and the follow-up, I think is elite. And that’s his real weapon.”

While Briggs was still under contract until the end of the 2024 season, the Giants wanted to take no chances of letting him get near free agency.

The 23-year-old keeps taking his game to another level each week. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Their focus now turns to giving him the platform to grow even further and the club believes the sky is the limit.

“What is exciting is not only what he’s doing now, but imagine him with a pre-season under his belt going into next year,” McCartney said.

“He rucked against Melbourne with (Max) Gawn and (Brodie) Grundy and did an incredible job, but we nearly had to carry him off on a stretcher.

“It’s a space that is in high demand at all levels, rucks. There’s no way we wanted to let him run through next year and have other clubs coming in to try and get a contract done.

“He’s acquitted himself really well and I think he’s bullish over what can happen over the next couple of weeks and beyond.”