Nick Shipley’s head is spinning as he comes off the training track. 

You can understand why too. The 17-year old from the GIANTS Academy has just completed another grueling training session with the AFL squad as part of a two week stint at the club.

It’s a long way from playing soccer in Campbelltown in Sydney’s South West which the gifted athlete was still doing until recently. 

“I just liked it more,” said Shipley about his switch from soccer to AFL.

“The kicking and the fitness component (of AFL). I really love it, working hard.” 

Shipley has seen first hand the growth of Australian Rules Football in Western Sydney in recent years and is part of the next generation of talent coming through the Western Sydney Academy, which he credits as helping fast track his game. 

“It’s been so good, especially with the help of (Academy Head Coach) Jason Saddington since he’s a former AFL player. He’s helped me a lot and he’s helped the Western Sydney Academy grow.” 

Shipley has split his playing duties between St George in the local competition with time in the GIANTS NEAFL side last season and is looking to be a constant in the second tier competition again in 2017.

Being based at GIANTS HQ has been an eye opening experience for the teenager who has his eyes set on one day being a full time member of the squad. 

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Shipley.

“Training with boys like (Dylan) Shiel, (Adam) Tomlinson and the coaches here, it is pretty special.”

“It’s been so good training with them so I can see how hard they train and I can compare myself to them. 

“Especially with the skills side and how they hit every target so I’ve got to try and bring my level up and hit every target too.”