GWS Giants Academy Member Connor Byrne has made the move to Melbourne and will join the Lions for season 2017.
Originally from Riverina League Club Wagga Tigers, Byrne would make his senior debut for Ovens & Murray League stronghold Lavington as a fifteen-year-old in 2014. Later that season he would first appear in the TAC Cup as a 23rd man for the Murray Bushrangers and would captain NSW/ACT in that years Under 16 Championships. He relocated to Ballarat for 2015, boarding at St.Patrick’s College and playing for the North Ballarat Rebels, mainly being portrayed as a small defender in his time at Eureka Stadium.
Byrne moved back to New South Wales in 2016 where he established himself as a regular in the WSU Giants NEAFL side after initially being called in as a top up, earning himself a rising star nomination and playing in their NEAFL Premiership side.
A midfielder who has outstanding disposal and levels of endurance, Byrne averaged 25 possessions, five marks, six tackles and three goals a game in the under 18 divisions 2 championships for the NSW/ACT Rams, and managed 28 possessions and eight tackles in his sole TAC Cup appearance with the Rams.
Having spoken with a few VFL clubs, Connor settled on Piranha Park as his home for 2017 and is looking forward to putting his name back into draft calculations.
“I chose Coburg because the list is reasonably young and I think there is a real club feel, which will give me the chance to play to my best and enjoy being at the club.”
“I’m looking forward to testing myself against the VFL’s best and seeing where I’m at, as well as playing with my new team mates and seeing how far we can go into the season,” said Byrne.
List & Recruiting Manager Sebastian Spagnuolo was delighted to have secured the signature of another New South Wales product.
“Connor is an exciting young midfield prospect coming out of the GWS Giants Academy, which is proven when it comes to producing quality footballers.”
“He had significant AFL interest in the lead up to the draft, so we’re very excited that he’s chosen to play VFL with our club.”
Byrne joins the likes of fellow recruits Mitch Betson and Christian Burgess, as well as fellow former GWS Giants academy member and Wagga local Mick Mattingly as those on Coburg’s 2017 list hailing from New South Wales. We look forward to assisting Connor in achieving his footballing ambitions.
