A breakout game for Harry Rowston has been recognised by the league, with the 21-year-old named the Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee for round 23. 

Kicking four goals straight in a move forward of the ball, Rowston was sublime inside the GIANTS attacking 50, with the young utility stepping up in the absence of GIANTS’ stars Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer.

Rowston has primarily performed as an on-baller across his nine matches in orange and charcoal this season but a move into the forward line, filling the significant hole left by both Hogan and Stringer, proved his ‘cometh the man’ moment. 

A GIANTS Academy product from Binya, near Griffith in the NSW Riverina, Rowston was a high draft pick in the 2022 AFL Draft, with the GIANTS matching the Swans’ bid to secure him at pick 16.

He debuted against the Eagles in round three of 2023, going on to play seven matches across his first year. 

Through an injury-interrupted 2024, he managed 11 matches for the GIANTS VFL side, before a strong pre-season and consistent VFL performances saw him recalled to the GIANTS AFL team in round 11 of this year, marking his first appearance at AFL level in 784-days.

Rowston’s persistence and work rate off-field, combined with consistency in his senior-level performances in 2025 have been duly rewarded in his Rising Star nomination, GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney said.

“Harry has taken the opportunities he’s been given this year with both hands and has been dedicated to improving his craft and carving out a spot in the senior side in 2025,” McCartney said.  

“His performance on Saturday against the Suns was him taking the next step for the club, showing plenty of maturity and grit to deliver when his teammates and broader club needed it.

“Showing versatility and intent, the game on Saturday was just the latest in a series of strong performances from him and we’re no doubt he’ll continue to perform at the highest level.

“Having come through the GIANTS Academy, we’re incredibly proud of his achievements and persistence in forcing a way back to AFL-level football and he is a great ambassador for both the GIANTS and our pathways program. 

“Harry is a true representative of the GIANTS’ values, and we look forward to his continued growth on the football field and as a proponent of our club’s development off it.”