The GIANTS are delighted to announce that exciting utility James Leake has signed a new two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2028 AFL season.

Already contracted for 2026, the extension is a strong vote of confidence in the promising 19-year-old who has continued to impress in his time at the club since being taken with pick 17 in the 2023 Draft.

Arriving at the GIANTS with a reputation as one of the most versatile and dynamic youngsters in the country, Leake has played as both an inside midfielder and as a lockdown intercepting defender in his time so far with the club, utilising his blend of athleticism, toughness, silky skills and elite hands above his head to showcase exactly what made him a top draft pick.

While injuries disrupted Leake’s first year at the GIANTS in 2024, the talented teenager made his AFL debut in Opening Round earlier this year against Collingwood and went on to play three games at AFL across the 2025 season.

Despite finding it tough to regularly break into the senior side as a 19-year-old, Leake continued to work at his craft at VFL level, where he starred across the 2025 season averaging 24.8 disposals, 4.8 marks, and 4.3 tackles across 15 games, showing that he’s got all the tools capable of becoming a permanent fixture in the club’s AFL side for years to come.

GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said the club was thrilled to lock in Leake’s future.

“James is a really exciting young talent and we know he’s got a bright future at the club,” McCartney said.

“He’s a natural footballer who reads the game exceptionally well and he’s continued to show he’s a class above at VFL level and really banging down the door for more opportunities in our AFL side.

“After an injury-interrupted start, we’ve seen his resilience and the quality of his performances through the VFL this year and we’re really excited about what’s ahead for him at AFL level after another big pre-season and a clean run with injury.”

Leake’s new deal comes following a host of teammates re-committing to the club’s future across the 2025 season, with the likes of Finn Callaghan, Connor Idun, Aaron Cadman, and Jack Buckley all inking new deals this year.