Rising Aussie rules talent Ty Gallop reflects on rise from Sunshine Coast to Brisbane Lions AFL side

An untried teenager has emerged as the Lions’ heir to Joe Daniher despite reports the reigning premiers are in the race to secure West Coast forward Oscar Allen. Discover why here.

Ty Gallop of the Lions celebrates a goal during the 2025 AFL Match Simulation between Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium on February 20, 2025 in the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

An untried teenager has emerged as the Lions’ heir to Joe Daniher despite reports the reigning premiers are in the race to secure West Coast forward Oscar Allen.

In just over 12 months new Brisbane Lions draftee Ty Gallop has gone from an undetected rising star to a serious contender in making his AFL debut.

Allen is the West Coast Eagles captain and has been linked to a move to Hawthorn or Brisbane but the sharp rise of Gallop, 19, has given the club renewed hope it has a match-winner already waiting in the wings.

Gallop, a tall key forward from the Sunshine Coast, first made headlines after booting a game-high five goals in a pre-season match simulation game against a premiership backline that included Harris Andrews, Jack Payne, Dayne Zorko Darcy Wilmot and Ryan Lester.

The 195cm rising tall was taken as the 42nd pick in last year’s national draft after the Lions matched a bid from rivals Geelong.

Ty Gallop in action for the Brisbane Lions academy. Picture: Ben Grimes

With questions beginning to be asked around Brisbane’s forward line as they try to replace a Daniher-sized gap on the fly, the untried academy graduate has put his hand up as a viable option.

In the last three matches where the Lions have unveiled their three-pronged tall forward attack of Eric Hipwood, Logan Morris and Sam Day, the Lions have recorded wins over West Coast, Geelong and Richmond.

Despite their undefeated start, Day remains goalless while Hipwood has kicked four with a combined three contested marks between the pair.

In 2024 the Lions unearthed a premiership player in Morris almost by accident and as constant rumours begin to swirl around the club attracting Allen, Gallop is emerging as a serious star.

In the opening two VFL matches Gallop has played a pinch-hit ruck role recording one goal, nine hit outs and two contested marks while battling alongside Darcy Fort and Henry Smith.

Ty Gallop of the Lions kicks a goal during the 2025 AFL Match Simulation between Brisbane Lions and Collingwood Magpies at People First Stadium on February 20, 2025 in the Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos.

After entering the 2024 season with no expectations or labels, Gallop said the past 18 months had been a whirlwind.

“I look back to 2023 and I wasn’t really sure where my footy was going and what I wanted to do,” he said.

“I was with Maroochydore playing QAFL colts and senior footy but before the Lions academy pre-season I made a promise I’d give it a red hot crack and see where it could take me.

“I was never really a chance of getting drafted at the start of the year but I kept my head down and it’s just been a whirlwind.”

In 2023, Gallop was crowned best on ground in Maroochydore’s QAFL Colts grand final victory before representing the Allies at the national championships and named QAFL’s rookie of the year in 2024.

Gallop booted 30 goals in his nine QAFL appearance for the Roos last season with his final match an eight-goal performance against eventual premiers Morningside.

2024 QAFL Rising Star Ty Gallop from Maroochydore.

The young forward also pulled on the maroon, blue and gold jumper when playing for the Lions in their 2024 VFL Preliminary Final.

“I still think it has been a step-by-step process for me to get to this level but maybe it’s just happened a little bit quicker given where I was starting from,” he said.

“It’s been unreal being in such a professional environment and getting the chance to do what I love every day.

“The match sim was unreal, I tried not to focus too much on everything afterwards but I was happy with my performance and I’ve continued to learn so much from everyone at the club.”

Head coach Chris Fagan spoke on the Lions forward line plan following their round two win over West Coast.

“We’re finding ways to win without necessarily having continuity with our personnel in our front half but hopefully we get that as we go along into the season,” Fagan said.

“There’s a lot of good forwards that we’d welcome into our footy club, I know we’re having a look around and I can’t be specific about that but we’re certainly in the market for a big tall forward.

Ty Gallop of the Lions kicks a goal during the 2025 AFL Match Simulation between Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium on February 20, 2025 in the Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos.

“We’re also trying to develop our own that we’ve got here.

“Ty Gallop in the reserves, Eric got going in the second half, Logan Morris was probably a bit scratchy but he kicked three goals so we’ve got good resources at our own club that we’re focusing on developing at the moment.”

Through the Lions caddie system, Gallop has been paired with Sam Day and Cam Rayner but also said co-captain Harris Andrews had been a major help.

Last week the club announced Gallop had agreed to a one-year extension, taking his deal with the Lions until the end of 2027.

“It’s unreal to have that confidence and belief from the club,” Gallop said.

“I suppose they see something in me that has earnt me an extra year so it really gives me a massive boost to just go out and focus on what’s needed each week.”

Originally published as Rising Aussie rules talent Ty Gallop reflects on rise from Sunshine Coast to Brisbane Lions AFL side