GIANTS Academy product Riley Hamilton is only months into AFL life and there’s no place he’d rather be.
“I’m loving it… I’ve loved it since day one,” he said.
“I’m just enjoying it so much – I’m living the dream.”
A star for the GIANTS Academy, Hamilton was originally overlooked in his draft year after suffering an ACL injury but bounced back with a strong 2025 campaign to be picked up by the GIANTS as a Category B Rookie in last November’s Rookie Draft.
Hamilton has since wasted no time impressing at VFL level for the GIANTS. The talented teenager has kicked multiple goals in each of the club’s first four games, combining high-flying marks with no shortage of flair or goal celebrations.
“It’s been amazing,” the 189cm hybrid forward said of his time at the club.
“I’ve got a good bunch of boys around me… I’ve made a lot of good mates.
“I’m really enjoying the social aspect of footy, but then when I get on the field, I love competing, jumping on heads and taking marks.”
While Hamilton played eight games for the club’s VFL side over the past two seasons as part of his GIANTS Academy development, the 19-year-old has taken his game to new levels this season after six months in the AFL system.
“I think it’s mainly confidence,” he said.
“The coaches have faith in me to go out and perform, and my teammates give me a lot of energy and confidence.
“They let me know I can do what I want out there, within our system. It’s really fun and really exciting.”
While his ability to adapt to the AFL environment has been crucial to his improvement, Hamilton gives a host of credit to the GIANTS Academy for preparing him for the step up.
“The Academy was unreal,” he said.
“I had a great couple of coaches in Tadhg Kennelly and Stephen Camp. I did a lot of one-on-one sessions with them and it really prepared me for stepping into the AFL system.
“I’m always thankful for the Academy. I can’t say enough about how grateful I am for it.”
Hamilton is now part of a new wave of young GIANTS talent making their way through the system together – both on and off the field.
Living with fellow GIANTS teenagers Oskar Taylor, Finn Davis and Joey Delana, Hamilton says the group has formed a tight bond built on shared ambition and accountability.
“It’s been a pretty unreal lifestyle living with those three,” he said.
“We get up early to get into the club and we hold each other to high standards.
“Oskar Taylor’s really taken his game to another level. We get up at 6:30am to get to the club early, and I think his will to get better is unmatched around the club.
“Joey Delana is the same and he’s always wanting to get better and wanting to take his game to another level.
“Then Finn Davis kicked an unreal goal on the weekend – he is a great talent.
“All three of them have such bright futures in front of them.”
While the young group continues to grow together, Hamilton is equally quick to highlight the influence of the club’s senior leaders and the guidance they’ve provided in helping them settle into the life of AFL footballers.
“Fans probably don’t see what players like Tom Green and Toby Greene do around the club and how much of an impact they have on us younger players.
“Connor Idun also goes under the radar [publicly] in how much of a leader he is around the club. I know as soon as we stepped into the doors, he and Tom Green and Toby Greene really welcomed us.
“We really feel comfortable around the club and those leaders show the way and show the standard that they want us to be kept at, and we are forever thankful for that.”
From Academy product to consistent VFL performer, Hamilton’s journey is still in its early stages, but he’s already living the dream.
