Less than 12 months on from quitting his job on a Christmas tree farm and joining the Giants full-time, James Peatling is finding stability at AFL level.
Greater Western Sydney have begun to see reward in their selection of 2021 Mid-Season Draft recruit across a short period of time.
Peatling was plucked out of Giants' VFL squad in June last year, being one of 22 players handed an opportunity in the AFL through the mid-year intake after missing out on successive National Drafts.
The 21-year-old made his AFL debut by August, having already amassed runs on the board across a prolific start to the year in the club's reserves as a ball-winning half-forward.
Peatling impressed with 19 possessions, six rebound 50s, seven marks and eight contested possessions in his first showing, featuring across either flank.
The Pennant Hills product played four matches to end his maiden campaign in orange and charcoal, including a sub stint in the Giants' semi-final defeat to Geelong.
Turning to this season with his first pre-season in Sydney's west, Peatling has begun to fashion a steadier role in the Giants' system, acting as a pressure forward after transitioning his defensive-minded antics into the attacking third.
Peatling's latest showing was his best performance yet, collecting 23 disposals and three goals as the Giants ran rampant over a hapless West Coast outfit, with the hard-nosed utility among those to benefit from interim coach Mark McVeigh's meddling of magnets over the weekend.
The performance gained the attention of many, but none were more excited to see the versatile youngster shine than those within the four walls at Greater Western Sydney.
"He's a local kid. So really good to have another local kid in our footy club," GWS assistant Amon Buchanan said.
"He's spent a bit of time in our backline and developed as a high back. One thing we love about 'JP' is his ability to get after them and tackle and we [saw] that on the weekend.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
"He was able to go forward and provide some really good pressure and on the back of that he was able to hit the scoreboard.
"[He] had his best game for the club."
While he may not have had the impact of fellow Mid-Season selections in Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe and Dons utility Sam Durham, Peatling is beginning to show glimpses of his worth to the Giants.
Likely to line up against the Lions on Saturday in what will be just his eighth game at senior level, Peatling looks to be a fitting piece in the Giants' offensive puzzle.
