AMONG another strong crop of club-tied talent this year is Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Academy standout Ethan Matthews. The smooth-moving defender is hoping to earn more midfield minutes as a top-ager, bringing Allies exposure and five games of VFL experience into season 2026.

We sat down for an interview with Matthews at the Giants Academy’s recent preseason testing combine in Canberra.

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PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Ethan, can you give us a rundown into your footy journey?

EM: I started firstly at Ingleburn, that was when I was real young. I played Auskick there. Then all the way through to now in seniors with South West Sydney. I started in the [Giants] Academy when I was 12 and have just been in the academy since playing footy and playing with South West.

Q: How has it been coming through the Giants’ pathway?

EM: Oh, it’s unreal. Having the AFL boys there and getting to train with them has been unreal. Using the same facilities as well is just unreal. So that extra experience that I guess some other Talent League teams might not get, [we] just take advantage of that.

Q: Are you looking to play across half-back again, or transitioning to more of a midfield role?

EM: This year I’ve been told for 18s I’ll probably play a bit more in the midfield, which will be good. I’m happy to play anywhere so hopefully get a run at half-back as well. But probably predominantly midfield, I’ve even been told a bit of high forward too.

Q: What are some of the strengths in your game?

EM: I would like to think I’m pretty skilful. Clean hands and kicking are pretty good, and my endurance game. I would like to think I read the game pretty well as well.

Q: What kind of improvements are you looking to make?

EM: Obviously just putting on a bit more size as I keep getting older and keep growing. You want to touch on and try to improve everything. So just rounding out my game.

Q: Which AFL club do you support?

EM: [The Giants] are probably not going to like this, but I’m a Pies fan. Since birth dad signed me up, so I had no choice there really. But obviously the Giants are definitely up there, equal first or second. Pies man at heart, but still love the Giants.

Q: Is there a player you try to model your game on?

EM: I’ll start with the Pies, I love Scott Pendlebury. I guess most people probably do, he’s a star of the game. I try to model off him around the stoppage, he’s obviously very evasive. Other people who have similar builds like me [are] Lachie Whitfield, or Will Hoskin-Elliott. Players like that who have good running games, good kickers and see the game well.

Q: Who has had the most influence on your career?

EM: I’ve got to say Mum and Dad, I’m super grateful for them. They took me everywhere. They do things for me all the time like taking me to training since [Under] 12s… Dad’s always loved the game, always giving me tips and just helping me be the best I can.

Q: What goals have you set yourself this year?

EM: Just to back up my 17s year and not drop off. Try and play my best footy, enjoy footy because if you don’t enjoy it, you’re not going to play your best. So, go through this 18s year enjoying footy and hopefully at the end of the year, obviously get drafted.

Q: Is there a teammate from the Giants you think we should look out for to have a big season?

EM: From our 18s group, probably Ryan Shipard. I’ve played a lot of footy with him, a lot of footy against him. Big inside mid, he’ll definitely get around the ground and put his head over it… Then you’ve got other players like Tom Wichman, Lucas Roberts, Charlie Harper, all these boys coming through. We’ll have a good bunch this year and play well together.