GIANT inroads in the ACT

Canberra-born Sydney Swans Premiership player Craig Bolton has thrown his support behind the GWS GIANTS’ decade-long commitment to the ACT.

Bolton attended Marist College and played for the Eastlake Football Club in Canberra, and the NSW/ACT Under-18s team when he was coming through the ranks.

”The future’s looking really bright,” Bolton said.

”I remember growing up as a kid and watching pre-season AFL matches at Bruce Stadium.

”In the last decade or two it’s been looking to take that next step, and in the last few years that’s really started to be realised.

”With GWS coming out, it’s provided something the region can latch on to.”

Friday night’s NAB Cup clash with the Bombers, the AFL’s first game under lights in Canberra, is an achievement which would have been considered a long way off during Bolton’s formative years in the capital.

While Bolton was part of the Swans teams who formerly played annual games in Canberra, he endorsed the Giants as the club to nurture the game in the ACT for years to come.

He believes the presence of the GIANTS, along with the establishment of the second-tier North East Australian Football League and the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy, will lead to a steady stream of Canberra juniors progressing to the elite level.

Three ACT players are currently on the lists of AFL clubs – Phil Davis and Josh Bruce with the GIANTS, and Ainslie product Jason Tutt at the Western Bulldogs.

”It’s a huge focus for us that we’re developing talent in Canberra,” Bolton said.

”Over the last 20 or 30 years there’s been some really good players come out of the region, and in the last few years we’re starting to see that evolve once again.

”With the GWS Academy and the NEAFL, it gives players a realistic pathway of getting into the AFL.

”Canberra is really starting to get some deserved attention and recognition, which will open opportunities for young players.”