The GIANTS will unearth promising young ruck Nick Madden for his long-awaited AFL debut in Saturday’s clash with the Power in Canberra.
A product of the GIANTS Academy, Madden was recruited as a raw but promising young ruckman in the 2022 Rookie Draft following strong performances for the GIANTS Academy and the Allies in the National Championships.
Hailing from Osborne in New South Wales’ Riverina region, Madden has continued to develop strongly at the GIANTS under the guidance of ruck coach Shane Mumford.
Standing at an imposing 204cm, the 21-year-old has great ruck craft, is a strong contested mark, finds the footy at a high rate for a ruckman, and moves well around the ground for a man of his size.
Madden has been rewarded with his maiden AFL selection off the back of some brilliant form in the VFL, with the Riverina product averaging 19.9 disposals, 33.1 hitouts, 6.2 clearances, 3.7 marks (1.2 contested), and three tackles per game across nine VFL matches so far this season.
The hulking ruckman was informed of his upcoming AFL debut by teammate Jake Riccardi to the delight of teammates in a team meeting at GIANTS HQ on Thursday afternoon.
Saturday's debut caps off a great tale of perseverance from Madden who has toiled away in the club’s VFL side for two-and-a-half years while overcoming a pair of lengthy foot and ankle injuries.
After gaining his feet in his first season at the club in 2023, Madden had a breakout 2024 VFL season in which he put together a dominant run of form before a severe ankle injury sidelined him for almost three months.
After returning to the field for the final two games of the 2024 VFL season, Madden followed up his breakout campaign with a tireless pre-season, before continuing his rich vein of form in the VFL across the first half of the 2025 season.
The determined Madden becomes the GIANTS’ fourth debutant this season, following on from the debuts of James Leake, Josaia Delana, and Cody Angove.
Highlighting his promise, Madden was signed to a two-year contract extension last year to tie him to the club until at least the end of the 2026 season.
Madden’s AFL dream will be realised at 7:35pm on Saturday night as the GIANTS meet with the Power in a crucial clash in Canberra.
