Kieren Briggs GWS Giants AFL Club
Kieren Briggs, a Pennant Hills Junior has developed into one of the leading ruckman at the top level of the AFL
Kieren Briggs’ journey from a junior AFL player to a professional athlete is marked by several key milestones. Initially, Briggs was more inclined towards soccer, but his interest shifted to Australian Rules Football at the age of 11 when he joined the Pennant Hills Junior Football Club. His talent quickly became evident, leading him to join the GWS Academy program just two years later. Despite living in Carlingford, which is within the Sydney Swans Academy zone, Briggs was tied to the GWS Academy due to his residence.
His prowess on the field continued to grow, and by 17, Briggs was playing for the Pennant Hills Senior AFL Club, known as the Demons. His performance with the Demons was noteworthy, culminating in a Sydney Premiership victory in 2017 alongside his future Giants teammate James Peatling. This marked the peak of his career at Pennant Hills, as he was drafted the following season. Despite moving on to professional leagues, Briggs maintained a strong connection with his former club, frequently attending games to support his old teammates.
Briggs’ involvement in the Giants Academy was significant for his development. He was part of the club’s Western Sydney Academy from the age of 13 and continued to develop his skills through the Academy pathway. After graduating from high school in 2018, Briggs balanced his time between working at Coles, playing for the Allies, and spending a couple of days a week at the club.
In terms of representative football, Briggs’ capabilities shone through in the 2018 AFL Under 18 Championships. He was a standout player, being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for both the GWS Academy side and the Allies team. His performance earned him a spot as the ruckman in the championship’s All-Australian team. This exceptional year propelled him into the limelight as a strong contender for the 2018 AFL draft, where he was eventually selected by the Greater Western Sydney Giants with the 34th pick.
