The GIANTS are excited to announce that talented young small forward duo Phoenix Gothard and Joey Delana have both signed new two-year deals with the club. 

Originally out of contract at season’s end, both Gothard and Delana have put pen to paper on new deals which will see them remain in orange and charcoal through until at least the end of the 2028 AFL season. 

The impressive duo are both homegrown talents, with Delana hailing from Western Sydney and having graduated from the GIANTS Academy prior to being drafted, while Gothard, who hails from Albury, also spent time in the GIANTS Academy prior to changes in zoning.  

Selected with pick 12 in the 2023 Draft after impressing for both the Allies and the Murray Bushrangers, Gothard spent his first two seasons at the GIANTS battling injury before bursting onto the scene last month with his AFL debut in the club’s Opening Round win over the Hawks at ENGIE Stadium. 

Having now played in five straight games since earning his debut, Gothard is quickly establishing himself as one of the club’s most promising youngsters following several strong performances from the creative small forward. 

Gothard’s elite pace and agility as well as his ability to create scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates have seen him become one of the side’s most consistent players across the early part of the season.  

The 20-year-old’s new deal comes following his best performance yet, with Gothard gathering 18 disposals at a remarkable 100 per cent disposal efficiency in Sunday’s big win over the Tigers at Gather Round.  

Adding to his clinical efficiency, Gothard also had nine score involvements, three tackles and a goal, making it four out of his first five games that the exciting youngster has registered at least one goal. 

Meanwhile Delana will also be staying put in orange and charcoal after the zippy small forward inked his own new deal.  

Joining the club as a Category B Rookie in the 2024 Draft, Delana’s AFL dream came true when strong VFL form saw him earn his AFL debut in last year’s Sydney Derby at the SCG in round eight. 

Still just 19 years old, the talented teenager managed three AFL games in his debut season before playing in the club’s opening four games of the 2026 season. 
 
Possessing an almost unmatched flair and energy combined with silky skills and an elite sidestep, Delana is another of the club’s talented young prospects to recommit their future to the GIANTS. 
 
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said it was great news for the club to lock away two of its exciting young talents. 
 
“We’re really excited about Phoenix and Joey and what sort of players they can become and it’s fantastic to sign them both for another two years,” he said. 
 
“Phoenix has had to overcome a fair bit of adversity through injury across his first two seasons and now that he’s healthy we are really starting to see what a talent he is. 
 
“To give him his AFL debut in Opening Round after the persistence he’s shown over the past two years was really rewarding and it’s a credit to him that he’s come in and performed really strongly and held his spot in a strong and experienced forward line. 
 
“His new deal comes off the back of a lot of hard work and talent and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue to grow and seeing what he can produce in the years to come. 
 
“Likewise, Joey continues to work extremely hard on his game and has already shown this year that he can certainly play a role for us at AFL level.  
 
“He’s a remarkable story in someone who comes from a non-traditional AFL background and for him to come through the Academy and to be a contributor at AFL level is a really special story. 
 
“Both Joey and Phoenix are full of potential and we’re excited about seeing their continued development in the coming years.”  
 
After their big win over the Tigers in Gather Round, the GIANTS will now face off with the crosstown rival in Sydney Derby XXXII at the SCG on Friday night.