Jesse Hogan’s scintillating early season form has been rewarded with a two-year extension

Giants’ key forward Jesse Hogan has inked a fresh deal keeping him in Sydney to the end of 2026, but what have GWS done to bring out his career best form?

Jesse Hogan has signed on for another two years with the GWS Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Getting into an opponent’s head is one of Jesse Hogan’s greatest assets.

He’ll study their game, pick up little quirks that they subconsciously display and find ways to get on top. Whether it’s during the week against a teammate or on the biggest stage, Hogan backs himself to get the job done.

“In person adds a different level of pressure,” Hogan said.

“I love the mind games with Sam (Taylor), he’s extremely competitive so any chance I can get one up on him, no matter what it is, I very much enjoy that.”

It’s an insight into Hogan’s competitiveness that it isn’t just footy where he applies that mindset. The above comments stem from one of Hogan’s other loves, chess.

The classic board game has become a regular part of the 29-year-old’s routine. He’s found it the perfect way to switch off after training, while still satisfying his innate desire to win.

Fellow WA product Sam Taylor has become one of Jesse Hogan’s fiercest chess competitors. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“The second I leave training, I play two or three half an hour games of chess,” Hogan said. “Or it’s straight on Surfline to see if and where there’s waves.

“My partner isn’t a massive fan of chess, but if I get days off and she’s not around I’ll spend an hour or two playing each day.

“Sam Taylor’s a bit flaky. He has a similar rating to me on Chess.com, but he hasn’t been playing as much as I have and I think that shows in the live games. Adam Kennedy also gets around a little bit.

“But I think on the away trips me and Sam are going to start taking the board for a few games the night before a match.”

Hogan’s relationship with footy has never been as positive as it is now. The key forward has started the year as the most dominant goal-kicker in the AFL, leading the competition with 12 goals across his opening three games.

When he’s not on the field, he and partner Chloe have found comfort in the Sydney lifestyle and created habits to ensure his body remains as healthy as ever.

The proof is in the pudding that he and the Giants have formed the perfect partnership and as a result, the club has finalised a two-year extension that will see Hogan remain in the orange and charcoal until the end of 2026.

Hogan is leading the AFL with 12 goals in his opening three matches for the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I think every time you sign a contract there’s a period of relief,” Hogan said. “I’m grateful to get it done early in the year and to not have it drag out.

“I never wanted to leave. I’ve enjoyed my footy here and we’ve got a super tight-knit group. I mean, besides how expensive (Sydney) is, it’s really good.

“Coming to a footy club at an older age, I got here when I was 26 or 27, it’s a bit harder because most of the friendships are made because they got drafted together. But the Giants were different because everyone was from different parts of Australia.

“Honestly, the culture at this footy club was good when I got here, but where it’s at now, it’s the best culture I’ve been at by a long way.”

One of the keys for Hogan has been embracing the fact he is at a different stage of his football career.

At times, the former number two draft pick wasn’t even sure he would still be playing into his 30s. But he’s now in a position where his best form is ahead of him and the Giants’ medical staff have played a vital role in changing his attitude.

The 29-year-old backs himself to compete against any defender in the competition. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Unfortunately my body has just let me down a couple of times,” Hogan said. “There were times in my career where I thought I might not make it to 30 let alone 26 or 27.

“I had the two naviculars, back stress fractures and numerous calves. So it did get pretty dark and we had to look at other ways to get load in and still have the confidence that I can get 23+ games in every year.

“We map out what each week is going to look like and it’s different to the main group. I have to be monitored. But pilates has become massive, and doing physio, all those little things as you get older become more important.

“I feel like my body is the strongest it has ever been in games and recovering from games. I’m not like the young boys where I feel good on Monday, but I feel good on Tuesday or Wednesday morning, which for me has come a long way.”

Hogan’s red-hot form is rubbing off on the rest of his teammates. Aaron Cadman looks like a different man in his second year in the AFL, while Callum Brown and Jake Riccardi have both started the season with big goal hauls.

Hogan’s main goal is playing as many games as possible to help lead the Giants towards a maiden premiership. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It’s impossible to undersell the impact that he has had, even if he’s reluctant to get drawn into his own Coleman Medal hype.

“It’s in all my mates’ group chats … it’s only round three,” Hogan laughed.

“When I was younger, I loved stats in footy. But it’s bad for the mental side because if it starts to slip, you get absorbed by it. So honestly, I keep that as far out of my mind as possible.”

But team success has always been Hogan’s magnum opus. And after falling just short in last year’s preliminary final against Collingwood, he’s all in on helping the club win their maiden premiership.

“That’s the closest I’ve been to a team truly believing we could have won it,” he said. “To get that close, it does give you a taste for it … it was the first time for me of, ‘We’re actually the real deal’.

“I’d be lying if I said there isn’t a fire in my belly that that’s something I want to be involved in again and to ultimately hold the cup up in the last week of September.

“I think now that I’ve signed on, that’s something I truly want and believe we can get to.”

Originally published as Jesse Hogan’s scintillating early season form has been rewarded with a two-year extension