Jake Barrett to join the GIANTS
17-year old Barrett, from Temora in southern NSW, is a tough midfielder with a great work rate and endurance and played rugby league until the age of 15 before switching to AFL.
Barrett is the first cousin of Hawthorn premiership player Luke Bruest and is a second cousin of former Dally M winner and NRL star Trent Barrett.
2013 has been a big year for the teenager, lining up for the GIANTS in the NEAFL before impressing for the NSW/ACT Rams in the NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships.
He has also attended the NAB AFL Draft Combine this week where he finished in the top 10 in the 20-metre sprint.
Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy Manager Lachie Buszard said Barrett thoroughly deserved his opportunity.
“Jake is an outstanding midfielder with a competitive streak who has picked up the game quickly in his time in the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy,” said Buszard.
“This season Zac Williams from Narrandera in NSW became the first player from the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy to play AFL football for the GIANTS and was also nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star.
“To have another player come through this pathway from NSW is a great endorsement of the Academy and the support we’ve had from Slater & Gordon and PM Capital.
“Jake only took up the game a couple of years ago and has come along way this season and it’s great that he’ll now be on our senior list next year.”
Barrett’s selection sees the GIANTS continue their push to give local NSW/ACT talent career opportunities.
“One of our primary purposes, on behalf of the game, is to stimulate the development of community football and talent pathways throughout NSW and the ACT,” said Buszard.
Barrett, who will turn 18 in November, said he was excited about joining the club.
“Having come through the Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy, I’m familiar with the club and being able to stay close to home is a huge bonus,” he said.
“I’ve got to know a few of the players throughout the year playing in the NEAFL side and I can’t wait to get stuck into pre-season with them,” he said.
AFL NSW/ACT General Manager Tom Harley says it’s a further sign of the AFL’s development in the region.
“On behalf of everyone at AFL NSW/ACT I would like to congratulate Jake on his selection to the GIANTS,” Harley said.
“It’s wonderful to see another local player given the opportunity to begin their career with our newest club, among a highly-talented young playing group.
“His selection is a testament to the great work that our talent development teams are doing across NSW and the ACT, and I look forward to seeing many more local players drafted in the near future.”
