Graduate Giant set for debut

IT’S hard to know if tomorrow will be more momentous for Nick Shipley or for AFL in Western Sydney.

The 18-year-old will make his AFL debut for the GWS Giants against Brisbane at Spotless Stadium — the first player from Sydney’s west the club has produced through their academy.

Three years ago the kid from Campbelltown was dreaming of playing for the Socceroos and the AFL wasn’t even second in his sporting ambitions, that spot belonged to the NRL.

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe,” Shipley said.

“I haven’t played that much footy. I started when I was 15 and from there it just grew. I never really knew about the AFL. I didn’t know much about the sport until I was invited to the academy. I dreamt of playing for Sydney FC and the Socceroos and if that didn’t happen I was thinking of the NRL.”

At 188cm and 95kg Shipley is a strongly-built midfielder who can win his own ball and has great agility to go with a surprisingly good skill set for someone so new to the game.

“If the Giants Academy wasn’t there I wouldn’t be playing,” Shipley said.

“I’d never had any contact with the game before I was invited to join after a school clinic at Mount Carmel Catholic College. I never thought I would play footy at this level especially coming from Sydney’s west. It’s not a big footy area.

“I did the whole of pre-season and it gave me the confidence to compete in the JLT Series and other matches. I didn’t feel out of place and the boys helped me a lot fitting in.”

Shipley was told the news of his debut in front of teammates and staff at the club on Anzac Day.

“When Leon told me it was unreal,” Shipley said.

“We had the whole team there along with the staff when he made the announcement

“It was very special, the boys got around me. I don’t feel nervous, I just can’t wait to get out there and play.”

Tomorrow’s game may not draw a big crowd but Shipley’s family and friends from Campbelltown and other parts of Sydney’s west will do their best to swell the numbers.