James Peatling provides trade update and talks the Sydney Derby qualifying final

James Peatling is looking to return to the SCG for a final almost 20 years after he accidentally missed one of the greatest AFL moments of all time. Plus he provides an update on his future.

James Peatling’s earliest memory of finals footy in Sydney dates back all the way to 2005.

It’s one of the most iconic matches in AFL history. Nick Davis with four last-quarter goals to snatch victory for the Swans over Geelong on their march to that year’s premiership.

A local Sydney boy from the Hills District, Peatling might have only been five years old, but he and his parents had some of the best seats in the house for the masterclass at the SCG.

Or so he thought.

“No, it’s the story growing up that I was asleep on Mum’s lap when Nick Davis kicked the final goal,” Peatling said. “I’ve heard that story before.

“I was a bit young for it. Mum and Dad reckon that was one of the better games they’ve ever been to. And I was asleep at the ground, so, a bit of a different one.”

Peatling missed one of footy’s most iconic moments in Sydney when he was asleep on his mum’s lap. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Peatling is primed to return to the SCG for a final again on Saturday, but this time on the field as part of a Giants side looking to claim another win over the Swans in September.

As a local product, Peatling knows just how big having an all-Sydney final is for Aussie rules in the state.

“It’s massive for NSW football in general,” he said. “Being able to have home finals in consecutive weeks, no matter what happens, it’s great for the sport.

“It’s obviously going to help grow the game. Growing up it was few and far between to get some home finals. So, it’s gonna be great.”

Up by 46 late in a pre-season game, James Peatling is still giving it his all 👏 pic.twitter.com/egc9Zsswsf

— AFL (@AFL) March 4, 2023

The Giants and Peatling will be looking to make up for their loss to the Swans at the SCG earlier this year. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

But he and the Giants are ready to spoil the party. In a year where consistency has been thrown out the window, Sydney held their nerve the longest to claim the minor premiership.

And despite losing both match-ups earlier in the year, the Giants are three-from-three in finals against the Swans and are full of confidence that the streak can continue.

“We obviously would love to (spoil the party),” Peatling said. “Teams go out hot and play some good footy early, we had a lull and they had a lull as well.

“It’s gonna be a great contest and we can’t wait to play against them. Hopefully, it’s great for Sydney footy, but we want to come away with the win as well. We have massive confidence in ourselves as a group that we can go far.”

This season has already been one to remember for Peatling. He has played a career-high 17 matches and has been a big contributor in midfield to the Giants’ late-season turnaround.

Peatling’s emergence in the back-half of the year has coincided with the Giants’ improved form. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The year threatened to escape him again after being in and out of the side early. He was regularly dropped to the VFL and didn’t look like getting opportunities outside of being the tactical sub.

But his perseverance and determination have been rewarded with a place in one of the AFL’s best midfields. And he’s hoping he’s done enough to keep his spot for the first final.

“I just wanted to have a consistent year, no matter what level I was playing,” Peatling said. “Whether that was early in the year getting moved up and down from VFL to AFL, I felt like I was consistent and just needed that opportunity.

James Peatling saves the day for the Giants 👏@cryptocom | #AFLGiantsSaintspic.twitter.com/MGnbjGwWLW

— AFL (@AFL) April 13, 2024

“Our coaches are great at letting you play to your strengths and express yourself as a footballer. I feel like they’ve given me freedom and clarity of what makes us better, and I can do that by playing my role.

“I owe the midfield boys a lot. When you come back in November, that’s who you go against longer than the season goes for. So they’ve helped my development massively, training against them and getting better.

“There’s a lot of good midfielders, and I had to sort of just break my way in. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help us win and just play my part.”

The 24-year-old is attracting plenty of interest from across the competition as he’s without a contract for 2025. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Understandably, Peatling’s performances have garnered a lot of attention across the AFL. Off-contract and on the fringes of Adam Kingsley’s side, his name has regularly been linked with clubs from all over the country.

But the back half of the year has given him the belief he can find a permanent place in the Giants’ midfield, particularly with the Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming’s futures still up in the air. And if he has it his way, he won’t be leaving Western Sydney anytime soon.

“Over time you mature and relish the opportunities in there because earlier in the year they were harder to get,” Peatling said. “So you don’t take anything for granted.

“I feel like when I play my best football, I can be in this midfield. And at times this year I’ve shown that. I just want to keep adding value to this team.

“My focus is trying to keep my spot in the team every week and see what we can do in finals.

“Obviously, I owe (the Giants) a lot. Coming through the junior ranks and being from Sydney, I’d love to stay here. When the time comes and I’ve got to make a decision, that will happen.”

Originally published as James Peatling provides trade update and talks the Sydney Derby qualifying final