James Peatling GWS Giants AFL Club

Joining Pennant Hills from junior feeder club Westbrook has seen AFL star ‘JP’ become the GWS Giants’ first-ever Mid-Season Draftee.

James Peatling ‘JP’ joined junior feeder club Westbrook in 2013, later entering the ranks of the U19’s Pennant Hills side in 2016 at the age of 15, playing a total of 4 games that year and 5 underage games overall. JP played alongside fellow draftees Ely Smith and Kieren Briggs in the U19’s, competing in the finals team.

Peatling made his debut into the Premier Division side in Round 18 2017 against UTS, where the Demons won by a convincing 112 points. Peatling continued with the Senior team for the remaining 5 matches of the season and was included in the winning Grand Final team against Sydney University which saw Pennant Hills win 66-60, and with James adding a goal to the scoreboard. Peatling was joined in the winning final side by GWS Giants teammate Kieran Briggs. The match report of the 2017 Grand Final win can be read here.

During his time at Pennant Hills, James played 22 games and scored 9 goals across his 5 seasons with the club.

JP started playing with the GWS Academy early in his football career in the U13/14 Academy division and continued with the Academy until his draft to GWS in the Mid-Season Draft in 2021.

He went on to play for the Giants in their Senior NEAFL side in 2017 and 2018, with 8 games 2 goals in 2017 and 11 games 10 goals in 2018. Impressively, JP was selected in the 2018 NAB AFL U18’s Allies Championship team playing 2 games and scoring a goal during the competition. 2018 also saw Peatling join the GWS Giants Academy team during the 2018 NAB AFL U18 Academy Series where he played 1 game for the Junior side.

In 2019, Peatling added to his already remarkable AFL career with selection to the NAB AFL U18’S Allies side again where he joined the team in 3 games, scoring a goal. In that same year, he was chosen to be a part of the NEAFL UWS Giants Senior Side, playing 13 games with 2 goals scored across the season. Additionally, JP played in the 2019 NAB League with the GWS Academy for a total of 4 games, scoring 5 goals throughout the leagues season.

Peatling joined the club’s VFL program with his performances seeing the Pennant Hills product added to the list for the rest of the 2021 season. JP joined the VFL in 2021 playing a total of 11 games and scoring 3 goals for the side.

James Peatling was rewarded for his perseverance by being taken by the GWS Giants in the 2021 NAB AFL mid-season draft at pick #8. He joined past Pennant Hills player Keiren Briggs with his selection in the GWS Giants. The 20-year old became the club’s first-ever Mid-Season draftee, playing as a midfielder and half back. Read about his mid-season draft here.

Peatling received his well-earned debut in Round 20 against Port Adelaide, less than two months after being selected in the Mid-Season Draft, Read about his debut here. Playing as a midfield and half-back, JP took to Marvel Stadium with immense skill and talent, clearly demonstrated in his game statistics of 19 disposals, 14 kicks and 7 marks. His valiant efforts were rewarded, as he was named MVG (Most Valuable Giant) for the round. Described by Giants Coach, Leon Cameron, as showing “great persistence” Peatling has continuously displayed a high playing talent level and is known for his high-flying marking, dash from defence and long kick. Peatling’s Giants jumper (#45) was presented to him by GWS Assistant Coach & former Swans/St Kilda player, Adam Schneider.

Since his debut earlier in 2021, JP played has played in Rounds 20 (Port Adelaide), 21 (Geelong Cats), 22 (Richmond) and the Elimination Semi-Final against Geelong Cats during the 2021 season.

During his first season with the Giants, Peatling received the 2021 Development Award during GWS’s Awards Night. Read about the award here.