{"id":219924,"date":"2026-08-13T16:27:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T06:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=219924"},"modified":"2026-08-13T16:27:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T06:27:20","slug":"vfl-player-focus-cooper-french-gws-giants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/08\/13\/vfl-player-focus-cooper-french-gws-giants\/","title":{"rendered":"VFL Player Focus: Cooper French (GWS Giants)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) has another emerging star coming through its academy, with bottom-ager Cooper French<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We put French’s performance under the Player Focus microscope.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"GIANTSGIANTS Academy<\/a>Forward-Midfielder<\/span><\/div>

Cooper French<\/h4>

Height: <\/span>178cm<\/p>

Weight: <\/span> - <\/p>

DOB: <\/span>28-03-2009<\/p><\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

STRENGTHS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

+ Accumulation
+ Endurance
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Speed
+ Work rate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IMPROVEMENTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Composure
– Kicking on the run<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STATS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Talent League (6 games):<\/em><\/strong>
29.7 disposals, 4.7 marks, 3.0 tackles, 7.8 inside 50s, 1.0 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Under 18 National Championships (4 games):<\/em><\/strong>
20.3 disposals, 2.8 marks, 0.8 tackles, 5.0 inside 50s, 0.0 goals<\/p>\n

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A post shared by GIANTS VFL (@giantsvfl)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n