GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) has another emerging star coming through its academy, with bottom-ager Cooper French making his VFL debut over the weekend. The energetic midfielder-forward kicked a crucial steadying goal in the final term of his side’s 13-point win over Gold Coast in Blacktown.

French, a native of Ainslie in the ACT, was the Giants’ MVP at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. After starring in orange at Talent League level this year, he went on to represent the Allies in the Under 18 carnival. Sunday’s state league debut marked the next stage of his development.

We put French’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.

GIANTS AcademyForward-Midfielder

Cooper French

Height: 178cm

Weight: -

DOB: 28-03-2009

STRENGTHS:

+ Accumulation
+ Endurance
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Speed
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Composure
– Kicking on the run

STATS:

2026 Talent League (6 games):
29.7 disposals, 4.7 marks, 3.0 tackles, 7.8 inside 50s, 1.0 goals

2026 Under 18 National Championships (4 games):
20.3 disposals, 2.8 marks, 0.8 tackles, 5.0 inside 50s, 0.0 goals

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PLAYER FOCUS

2026 VFL: Round 20
GWS Giants 21.7 (133) def. Gold Coast Suns 18.12 (120)

#59 Cooper French (GWS Giants)
Stats: 15 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 5 score involvements, 2 goals

FIRST QUARTER:

The opening term was somewhat of a feeling out process for French, who covered ground and looked energetic without getting his hands on the ball. Operating as a high forward, the bottom-ager emptied out the and notched his first touch up on the wing as GWS transitioned into attack. His best was yet to come.

SECOND QUARTER:

French came to life in the second quarter, opening his VFL scoring account and directly assisting three other majors. He was rewarded for his work rate, continuing to connect the lines by venturing high up the ground and even laying a terrific rundown tackle on defensive wing.

Having sometimes been guilty of blazing away heading inside 50 this year, French showed outstanding composure to repeatedly hit targets inside 50. Picking up possession across half-forward and through the corridor, he lowered his eyes and deliberately picked out teammates while moving the ball on quickly.

French’s moment to turn from creator to finisher came as he drew an in-the-back free kick in the pocket. He went back and showed his class with the set shot, slotting it home from a tight angle on the wrong side for a right-footer. It capped off a high-impact quarter full of score involvements.

THIRD QUARTER:

Building on the confidence gained from his second term, French continued to find his flow after half time. He found space everywhere to become a link in the Giants’ transitional chains, taking great care of the ball as he racked it up largely uncontested.

French was admittedly quiet in the first 15 minutes of the quarter but worked hard to run it out strongly. He unselfishly looked for a teammate over the top while running inside 50, only for the kick to be cut off. Soon after, a flukey bounce over the top helped secure his fourth goal assist.

FOURTH QUARTER:

French’s competitive nature was outlined in the final quarter. While still quite lightly built, he was prepared to tackle and pressure when required, while attacking the loose ball with intent. His running power remained strong, too.

The bottom-ager’s crowning moment for the match came against the run of play. With GWS desperately seeking a steadying goal, French stepped up to take a gutsy mark in the forward-50 hole and convert a 45-metre shot for his second goal.

The game-sealing score ended Gold Coast’s run of six consecutive majors, which brought the margin back to only a couple of kicks with plenty of time left on the clock. It capped off a productive first-up outing for the young gun, who has no trouble impacting games.