The GIANTS are delighted to announce that Ryan Hebron will return to lead the VFL side in season 2026.
One of the side’s heart and soul players, Hebron has cemented himself as a key piece of the GIANTS’ VFL program since joining the club as its inaugural VFL captain ahead of the GIANTS’ first season in the VFL in 2022.
Previously having played with Werribee and the Swans’ VFL side among others, Hebron was named the GIANTS’ inaugural VFL captain before even playing a game in the orange and charcoal.
The tough and courageous swingman, who has been a key pillar for the GIANTS both as a forward and a defender, will now lead the club’s VFL side for a fifth straight campaign in 2026.
The announcement comes following another strong season from the Sydney local, with Hebron playing in all 19 games in the 2025 season in which he brought up his 150th State League game.
Hebron says it was an easy decision to pull on the orange and charcoal once again as he looks to help the club reach the ultimate success.
“I have loved my time at the GIANTS but the reason I signed is because the club deserves to have more trophies and I take accountability for that at VFL level,” he said.
“If we want team success we all need to improve and it starts with the captain. I really admire the entire community that the GIANTS have built and all the teams that pull on the orange and charcoal.
“The culture that the coaches and leaders of the club have created has absolutely made me a better person as well so I'm keen to pass that forward to the next gen.”
He added that one of the club’s AFL leaders had set the example for how he likes to lead the VFL side.
“It’s a privilege to be captain,” Hebron said.
“I think when I was younger I thought it was about coin tosses and speeches, but I think what I've learnt and what Toby [Greene] does really well, is that it’s all about helping a group of individuals buy in to team success and that the captain’s actions and behaviours really influence the group.
“I've sensed it watching the AFL when you feel like the team needs to lift, Toby will have a really influential moment, whether it’s deleting an opponent or a tough contest, and it’s an injection that lifts the entire group.
“He uses his competitiveness and steadiness to lead the boys really well and that's the leader I want to be, not someone who dishes good speeches and doesn’t back it up on the field and in the club during the week.”
With the 2026 VFL season just six weeks away, Hebron said he was thrilled with how the team is shaped and the addition of new head coach Robbie Chancellor.
“This has been the biggest pre-season we've had at GIANTS VFL,” he said.
“We’re grateful as a group for the resources the club are giving us, and Robbie has been unreal. He's a rare mix of charisma and energy and elite knowledge of the game and the boys are soaking it up.
“The group have worked hard to get a strong physical foundation. Now we are going deep on the mental side - everyone knowing their role and how to do it, game plan, mental toughness. I really think if we continue to elevate that side of our culture, we'll be a hard team to beat.”
The GIANTS will kickstart their 2026 Smithy’s VFL season on Saturday, March 21 against the Saints at Tom Wills Oval.
The entire VFL fixture is set to be released in the coming weeks.
