Jeremy Finlayson is proud to be a mentor to indigenous youths
Jeremy Finlayson wants to make a difference in the lives of troubled indigenous youths which is why he’ll be wearing the Giants’ indigenous jumper with pride again this weekend.
Jeremy Finlayson is on a mission to change lives and the Giants forward is doing just that with troubled indigenous youths in Western Sydney.
As GWS prepares to host the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday — the second weekend of Sir Doug Nicholls Round — the forward’s goals are not limited to those which sail between the posts.
Finlayson, who has an indigenous father, will proudly don the Giants’ specially designed guernsey when the players run out on Saturday.
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While striving to add to his impressive goal tally for the season — 22 so far — it’s results off the pitch which also matter to the 23-year-old from Culcairn in southern NSW.
“I wanted to try and make a change to Aboriginal kids that are in juvenile justice,” he said.
“I go out there and talk to them, get them into the club, show them around. I just want to be a mentor and role model. Some of these kids don’t have families and they don’t have anyone to fall back on. They come out, recommit crime and go back (into juvenile detention).
“Like I said, we get some time off in the week at the club and I wanted to do something to make a difference.
“Having this game at home will be pretty special. I missed out in Adelaide last season. My dad was hurting, my mum was hurting and I was hurting. So to play here, yes, really means so much.”
Teammate Zac Williams is also well aware of the importance of providing leadership.
The duo, along with young teammate Ian “Bobby” Hill helped launch the Giants’ indigenous jumper at the club on Tuesday.
“The younger indigenous players are starting to step up and become more influential role models in the AFL I guess which is great to see,” Williams said. “It’s what we need as a community.
“It’s about raising awareness and having conversations, educating people about our history and looking to the future.”
As for purely football matters, Finlayson is still buzzing after the Giants received a visit from Wayne Carey ahead of their win over the Demons at the MCG on Sunday.
“It was pretty exciting, childhood hero stuff,” Finlayson said.
“Listening to his tips and advice about playing at the MCG was really great.”
Williams missed last weekend with a hamstring injury and as desperate as he is to don the indigenous guernsey this weekend, the Giants have erred on the side of caution and he misses out again.
“I’ve started running again, done all my strength testing, and hopefully I’ll get back into training as soon as possible,” Williams said.
Hill, who designed and painted a special indigenous art football for last week’s win over the Demons, hopes other indigenous youngsters will be inspired to follow in the current stars’ footsteps.
“I always wanted to be part of indigenous round and I was lucky enough to get drafted and share it with the Giants family,” he said.
“I know there’s a couple of indigenous boys in this year’s draft coming up, very talented, and I hopefully they can get drafted and keep living the dream and hopefully see them here.”
Stephen Coniglio is expected to line up against Gold Coast after a cork to the knee.
“He’s been a bit bashed up with his finger and his quad cork but at this stage he looks likely to play,” said football manager Wayne Campbell.
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