Ollie Hannaford will play his first game at AFL level on Friday night, after the Giants handed the explosive teenager a debut for the Round 3 match against Collingwood at Marvel Stadium.
Hannaford produced a stellar 2024 Coates Talent League season as a dynamic forward, and was rewarded with Team Of The Year honours, before being selected by GWS with pick 18 in the National Draft, later that year.
David Loader, who coached Hannaford at the Rebels, told Zero Hanger the 19-year-old is incredibly determined and hellbent on fast-tracking his development.
"He's a super-competitive kid, but he's also a student of the game; he wants to know how he's going to get better," Loader said.
"He's very popular among the playing group and leads by example.
"And, he's really well-balanced, so it's a pretty good package."
Loader added that Hannaford would be relishing the opportunity to work alongside experienced team-mates such as Toby Greene, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford.
"Absolutely, 100 per cent he will be doing that," Loader said.
"He'll be wanting to be doing everything that Toby's doing and help him. Obviously, we all know how good a player Toby Greene is, so it's a wonderful opportunity for Ollie to play with and learn from someone like him.
"Ollie will make the most of the chance to play with and against the best players; it will allow him to see where he's at and hold him in good stead. It will be onwards and upwards, for Ollie."
Hannaford won a call-up to the senior side after a strong performance in the Giants' Round 1 VFL win over the Saints last week. The 19-year-old registered 33 touches and three goals and was one of the best players on the ground.
"He's obviously shown some really good traits at VFL level. Speaking to some people at GWS, they've been rapt with his dedication to his role and what he can bring to the team," Loader said.
"He's got electric speed and a big strong body."
Loader said one of Hannaford's many attributes is his ability to play across all three lines.
However, he expects the Sandhurst product to line-up in the front half against the Pies.
"I'd imagine he will start as a pressure forward, but he can play all areas of the ground," Loader said.
"He might get a go as an inside mid at some point, but I don't think that will be early on, I would have thought a pressure forward, trying to create some havoc in the front half will be his first assignment.
"He can also play in defence. He's been very good playing as a small, aggressive defender, playing on the clever small forwards.
"Where they play him, I'm not 100 per cent sure, but he'll adapt pretty quick to whatever role he's got."
As for debuting against the biggest club in the land, under the bright lights of Friday Night Footy, Loader said it would be "no problem" for Hannaford.
"He's very level-headed and he'll treat it as just another game," Loader said.
"He'll certainly be able to put any distractions to one side and concentrate on what he needs to do.
"Even though, he's only young and playing his first game, he'll be in there throwing his weight around, and they'll know they're playing against him, that's for sure."
