Giants secure three WA stars

The Greater Western Sydney Giants have secured three emerging young stars from Western Australia, with Gerald Ugle, Nathan Wilson and Simon Tunbridge all set to join the Club in Blacktown in the coming week.

These latest recruits now leave the Giants with two final selections left for priority listed 17 year olds in 2010.

Ugle, who hails from Beverly, is a small midfielder who attracted attention back in 2009 with his performances at Blacktown Olympic Park for the Under 16 National Championships, averaging 18 disposals a game. Ugle made his senior debut in the WAFL this year for the Perth Demons.

He will now join seven of his fellow AIS/AFL academy graduates at the Giants and says that he is looking forward to making the move to NSW.

“I was just so relieved when I heard the news. All my hard work had finally paid off. I just can’t wait to get into training now. It’s a big comfort already having a few mates here that I have spent time with through the AIS.

“I know it’s going to be a big change, but it’s something I have wanted for so long. In the end this is where I want to be.”

Nathan Wilson, a rebounding defender from Mandurah, is currently in Canberra for the AIS AFL Academy Camp along with three other Giants recruits. Wilson impressed at Colts level in the WAFL this year kicking 21 goals for Peel Thunder.

Wilson said that it’s been his life-long dream to become an AFL footballer and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“I’m just so excited. I can’t wait to get back into full training and really get amongst it. Obviously I’ve had a set back with my injury, but my rehab is going really well so I’m pumped to get to Blacktown and start training.

“I just feel so lucky because I’m currently in Canberra with the AIS AFL academy, so I get to work with the likes of Tom Harley and Mick O’Loughlin and then I get to go to Sydney and develop under Kevin Sheedy and Mark Williams. It’s a dream come true.”

The third addition to the Giants is Simon Tunbridge. Originally from Dongara in country WA, Tunbridge is a versatile forward and a strong mark overhead.  In a consistent season for Perth at Colts level, Tunbridge averaged an impressive seven marks a game in 2010.

 “I’m still in shock. After going to draft camp in October and getting through the testing it made me realize just how much I wanted this,” said Tunbridge.

“I remember sitting in the change rooms at Blacktown Olympic Park for the Under 16’s in 2009 and the GWS coaches telling us about the under 17 selections, to be honest I never believed that would be me.

“I know it’s going to be a big change and I don’t really know any of the boys other than Gerald and Nathan, but it’s just such an exciting time. I’m off to Dongara this weekend to say goodbye to my Grandparents and then it’s off to Blacktown.”

Giants High Performance Manger Alan McConnell said that the three WA recruits were an exciting addition to the Giants’ growing list.

“Tunbridge is a thumping kick with a very good work ethic. He has certainly gone to significant lengths in his personal life to give himself every opportunity to play AFL footy. Ugle is an intelligent and articulate young man who prepared himself exceptionally well for the recent Draft Combine giving us every encouragement to make this selection. Wilson is fantastic speed ball carrier who will certainly add a dimension of pace to our list.”

“These boys are three great players that we’re looking forward to working with. They are making a big step moving across the country to pursue their AFL dream and we certainly have the right support networks around them to ensure they can deal with the challenges they will face.”

Ugle will make the move to Sydney this week and will be joined by Wilson and Tunbridge later next week.