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

Sunshine Coast Aussie rules talent Ty Gallop has been confirmed to make his AFL debut with the Brisbane Lions against the Adelaide Crows on Friday night. See what he had to say.

Ty Gallop of the Lions celebrates 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. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

The Brisbane Lions have confirmed exciting young forward Ty Gallop will make his AFL debut against the Adelaide Crows on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.

In just over 12 months the Lions draftee has gone from an undetected rising star to a serious contender and will now get his shot at the elite level.

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

“It’s really exciting to make my debut and even more so under the Friday night lights at Adelaide Oval as it should be a great atmosphere,” Gallop said.

“Being an emergency for a few weeks in a row and being around the boys has been a great opportunity to see how they prepare and get ready for the game.

“My expectations are to just go out and compete, get too as many contests as I can and play my role.”

Back in April 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 told this masthead in April.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

2024 QAFL Rising Star Ty Gallop from Maroochydore.

“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.”

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.

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