Star GIANTS small forward Brent Daniels says he’s confident he can return to his brilliant best in 2026 as he ramps up training in a bid to feature in the club’s Opening Round clash with the Hawks.
One of the league’s most dynamic small forwards, Daniels made his maiden All-Australian squad in 2024 to cement himself as a star of the competition before a rare abdominal injury restricted the key GIANT to just six games last season.
Having kicked 20-plus goals in both 2023 and 2024 prior to his injury struggles, the GIANTS are hopeful that off-season abdominal and groin surgery will soon have Daniels fit and firing and ready to return to an already star-studded forward line in 2026.
Having undergone the significant surgery prior to Christmas in a bid to return to his very best, Daniels is progressing well in his recovery as he eyes a return in the club’s blockbuster season opener with the Hawks at ENGIE Stadium on March 7.
“It’s really exciting,” Daniels said on the prospect of playing consistent footy in 2026.
“Last year was frustrating because I felt I was in a really good spot and I was feeling really fit and then that little rare injury came up and I couldn’t quite get over it.
“I’m looking forward to getting back this year and hopefully recapturing some of that [2024] form.
“But the main thing is we are hoping to be a really successful team – so hopefully being a part of that and playing my role in that.”
The electric small forward admits his injury-riddled 2025 campaign was hard to bear, especially following his starring 2024 season in which he averaged 18 disposals per game and kicked 23 goals while also leading the AFL in goal assists.
“It was really frustrating. I came off probably my best year to date so I was looking to improve even more but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
“It was a frustrating year because we couldn’t really quite work out what was going on with me [his unusual injury], but it’s in the past now and I’m looking forward to this year and hopefully I can get a few more games into me.”
The 26- year-old says his successful off-season surgery has him well placed to attack the 2026 season and become a key contributor in Adam Kingsley’s side once again.
“The body is feeling really good which is the main thing, so it’s about getting back out there and moving the way I did previously which is exciting.
“I’m a work in progress and still not 100 per cent but I’m working towards that,” he said.
“I’m just ticking things off and I’ll tick off some match play which will be nice and the more you do that, the more confidence you get.
“I’ve just started joining the main group and hopefully I can do a little bit of the match play on Friday. So I’m getting back on track and hopefully I can push to play a couple of the praccy games [on February 20 and 26] as well, which is exciting.”
Now just over four weeks away, Daniels has certainly got an eye on the Opening Round clash with the Hawks and ensuring he’s out there.
“That is the goal – I hope so,” he said.
“Obviously I’ve got to keep ticking some boxes. I’m not really looking too far ahead, I’m just looking to start moving and get my body back into that match condition, but the plan is Opening Round - we’ll see how we go.”
The GIANTS and the Hawks will begin their seasons in a blockbuster Opening Round clash at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, March 7 at 4:15pm.
