The GIANTS are delighted to have re-signed one of their most promising young talents, with Western Sydney local Josaia Delana putting pen to paper on a new one-year deal.
The new contract will see the talented youngster remain in orange and charcoal until at least the end of the 2026 AFL season.
A product of the GIANTS Academy, Delana joined the club as a Category B Rookie in last year’s draft and after several standout performances for the GIANTS' VFL side earlier this season was rewarded with an AFL debut in the Sydney Derby against the Swans at the SCG in round eight.
The talented teenager, who turned 19 on Tuesday, has featured in three AFL games so far in his debut season, with the livewire small forward a part of the club’s huge road wins against the Cats in Geelong and the Lions in Brisbane in rounds nine and 14.
An exciting small forward of Fijian descent, Delana plays with an almost unmatched flair and energy which combined with his silky skills and an elite sidestep make him an exciting prospect for the future of Adam Kingsley’s side.
An infectious personality with a positive team-first attitude, Delana was drafted by the GIANTS last November after starring performances for the Allies at underage level as well as strong testing results at the State Draft Combine in Melbourne last year.
With his selection in last year’s draft, Delana became the GIANTS’ fourth player to be drafted from Western Sydney.
“I’m very excited for the journey ahead. I was very fortunate to get drafted by the club and to get another year here is a dream,” Delana said following his new deal.
“It’s a great culture at the club. Theres no other club I’d want to go to. The culture, the community, the fans, to the people in-house with the coaches and the playing group – I love it all.”
“To think only six months ago my name was being chucked around on whether I’d be drafted or not and then to think about all that I’ve accomplished in the six months after is pretty special.”
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said Delana is the embodiment of what the club aims to build in Western Sydney.
“It’s really exciting for Joey, his family, and the club to have re-signed him for another season.” McCartney said.
“Joey is exactly the kind of player we want representing this club – local, hardworking and exciting to watch.”
“Since joining the club he’s shown a great appetite to learn and develop and we’re really enthusiastic about the player he can become for us in the future.”
Delana’s signature continues a long list of recent re-signings from some of the club’s most exciting young talent, with the GIANTS locking away the likes of Finn Callaghan, Darcy Jones, Connor Idun and Toby Bedford in recent months.
