What’s on at the GIANTS?

Tippet on GWS radar

Greater Western Sydney GIANTS are hot on the tail of Adelaide Crows forward Kurt Tippet. Cashed up after the retirement of Israel Folau and the de-listing of veteran ruckman Dean Brogan, the GIANTS are keen to obtain the signature of the young star.

“Western Sydney needs the best team out there that it can and now it looks like Tippett will be available (to be drafted), we’ll have a good look at him.”

Tippett’s availability to be drafted rests upon the decision of the AFL commission. Tippett will front the commission on Monday night to settle his future in AFL.

Tippett will be defending himself against salary cap cheating and draft tampering.

If found guilty, Tippett could be deregistered as a player and the Adelaide Crows will be heavily fined, banned for up to four national drafts and will be staring at the possibility of starting the 2013 season on negative premiership points.

GIANTS football manager Graeme Allan said the club is awaiting the outcome of the hearing before making decision on whether to pursue Tippett. He will likely be up for grabs in the pre-season draft after not nominating for the national draft.

Tippett is expected to put a $1 million-a-year figure on his head at the pre-season draft, in which the GIANTS have the first pick.

“We’d like him but we won’t be ridiculous about it,” Sheedy said.

Personally I would like to get him (Tippett),” GWS coach Sheedy said. “If we’re trying to develop the game in Sydney, you’ve got to be in for a player like Tippett.

Veteran ruckman de-listed

Veteran GIANTS ruckman Dean Brogan has been de-listed by the club. GIANTS football manager Graeme Allan informed Brogan of the decision and he understands why it has been made.

“We have told Dean that depending on the outcome of next week’s NAB AFL Draft and the December Pre-season Draft that he may yet be re-drafted by the GIANTS,” Allan said. “In the meantime he will continue his role as an assistant coach of the GIANTS.”

The GIANTS have made it apparent that they wish to sign Crows forward Kurt Tippett. The de-listing of Brogan provides more space in their squad list to make a play for the Crows forward.

Allen is also waiting on the player contract specifications set out by Tippett and the AFL before the draft.

“We obviously respect the AFL Commission hearing and await their findings. We also want to see the terms on which Kurt Tippett will nominate for the draft. We are naturally interested in a player of his calibre but a decision on drafting him will also be determined by affordability and with respect to the process outlined by the AFL.”

Gilham stuck into preseason training

GIANTS trade period recruit Stephen Gilham has started his preseason training with the team. The key defender standing at 192cm is excited about the challenge ahead and thinks that he could carry some added experience into the young GIANTS team.

“It’s all about learning the game style and how each other plays but part of my role will be to teach the guys some new things… that will be done in preseason,” Gilham said.

Gilham was traded from Hawthorn on the last day of the trade period in exchange for Jed Anderson and picks 29 and 69. The GIANTS also obtained pick 28, which was on-traded, and pick 65.

The 28 year-old was was part of the 2008 premiership winning Hawthorn team and will provide some valuable experience to the young GIANTS team.

Sheedy’s Future

It has been confirmed that Kevin Sheedy will continue his association with the GIANTS as director of football in 2014.

Sheedy will continue his role as head coach through the 2013 premiership season before handing the reins over to new senior assistant coach Leon Cameron at the end of the campaign.

GIANTS chief executive Dave Matthews believes Sheedy still has a lot to give to the club and football in general.

“He’s been one of the architects and one of the builders and he’s such a positive force around our club and around Greater Western Sydney generally.

“He’s got so much to contribute in football and in other areas as well, so we’ll work out something that hopefully satisfies his desire to keep building things beyond 2013.”

There was some speculation as to whether Sheedy would venture back to Melbourne or remain involved with the GIANTS, but Sheedy has ended these speculations.

“After I stop coaching, I probably want to be a director of football in charge of footy in certain positions”.

A GIANT partnership in Western Sydney

Federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, announced that the Federal Government will form a partnership with the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS to support young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in the Greater Western Sydney area.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship have specified that $1.2 million will be allocated to fund a national approach to youth settlement through the Multicultural Youth Affairs Network Australia.

$270,000 of this commitment will be used to fund the establishment of a new independent service in New South Wales through a partnership with the GIANTS, the Centre for Multicultural Youth and Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW and its local host organisation, Settlement Services International.

GIANTS chairman Tony Shepherd has thanked the minister for the opportunity to let the GIANTS give back to the Greater Western Sydney community.

“I want to thank the Hon Kate Lundy and the Federal Government for their support of this partnership and recognizing the opportunity that exits in this region,” Shepherd said.

“This funding and partnership will make a significant difference in the lives of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in New South Wales.”

“By working with the Centre for Multicultural Youth and Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW we hope to provide education and employment pathways and community engagement programs.”

“Our Life Learning Centre, which will be established at our new training and administration base at Sydney Olympic Park, will provide a channel to assist in the delivery of targeted programs for multicultural youths.”

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