Ethan Matthews
GWS GIANTS
2026 AFL Draft
Power Rankings- Power Ranking
- No. 4
- Position
- Inside Midfielder
- Height
- 189 cm
- Age at draft
- 18y 2m
- Plays for
- GWS GIANTS Academy
- Tied to
GWS academy- Bid expected
- Pick 8, GWS to match
- Invited to
- National combine
- Draft night
- 19 November
| 2026 averages | GM | KI | HB | DI | CP | MA | TA | CL | I50 | R50 | IT | SI | GL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talent League | 3 | 20.0 | 15.3 | 35.3 | - | 6.3 | 5.3 | - | 9.0 | 3.0 | - | - | 2.7 |
| Championships | 2 | 11.5 | 13.0 | 24.5 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 |
Bio
Hailing from the Macarthur region, Ethan Matthews is a poised left-footed midfielder who has surged into first-round calculations. A product of the GWS Giants Academy, he built on an impressive bottom-age year with a blistering run of form in the Coates Talent League, earning VFL exposure in the process. Matthews took that momentum into the Under-18 National Championships for the Allies, producing a best-on-ground masterclass in the opening match against Vic Country. Although a foot stress injury cut his carnival short, he had already cemented his status as a premier talent.
Matthews is a balanced on-baller capable of winning the contested footy and hurting opposition teams in transition. Scouts praise his relentless running, repeat efforts and beautiful lace-out kicking. Having added size to his frame, he has become a strong presence at the stoppages, with recruiters viewing him as a prospect with plenty of upside as he continues to develop. Widely rated as a likely top-10 prospect in the 2026 pool, he is tied to the Giants. Rival clubs are tipped to bid early on the combine invitee, but Greater Western Sydney is fully expected to match any offer.
VFL career
6 games3 goals
- Debut
- R10 2025 v RCH31 May 2025
- Most recent
- R5 2026 v NTH26 Apr 2026
Stats
VFL
2026 | GWS | 1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 42 | 50 |
2025 | GWS | 5 | 6.0 | 8.4 | 14.4 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 45 | 35 |
Talent League
2026 | GWS | 3 | 20.0 | 15.3 | 35.3 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 147 |
2025 | GWS | 3 | 8.7 | 12.3 | 21.0 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 74 |
U18 Boys
2026 | ALL | 2 | 11.5 | 13.0 | 24.5 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 99 |
2025 | ALL | 1 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 |
Bio
Hailing from the Macarthur region, Ethan Matthews is a poised left-footed midfielder who has surged into first-round calculations. A product of the GWS Giants Academy, he built on an impressive bottom-age year with a blistering run of form in the Coates Talent League, earning VFL exposure in the process. Matthews took that momentum into the Under-18 National Championships for the Allies, producing a best-on-ground masterclass in the opening match against Vic Country. Although a foot stress injury cut his carnival short, he had already cemented his status as a premier talent.
Matthews is a balanced on-baller capable of winning the contested footy and hurting opposition teams in transition. Scouts praise his relentless running, repeat efforts and beautiful lace-out kicking. Having added size to his frame, he has become a strong presence at the stoppages, with recruiters viewing him as a prospect with plenty of upside as he continues to develop. Widely rated as a likely top-10 prospect in the 2026 pool, he is tied to the Giants. Rival clubs are tipped to bid early on the combine invitee, but Greater Western Sydney is fully expected to match any offer.
Profile
- Born
- 04 Sept 2008 (age 18y 50d)
- Height
- 189 cm
Teams
Bio
1 revisionHailing from the Macarthur region, Ethan Matthews is a poised left-footed midfielder who has surged into first-round calculations. A product of the GWS Giants Academy, he built on an impressive bottom-age year with a blistering run of form in the Coates Talent League, earning VFL exposure in the process. Matthews took that momentum into the Under-18 National Championships for the Allies, producing a best-on-ground masterclass in the opening match against Vic Country. Although a foot stress injury cut his carnival short, he had already cemented his status as a premier talent.
Matthews is a balanced on-baller capable of winning the contested footy and hurting opposition teams in transition. Scouts praise his relentless running, repeat efforts and beautiful lace-out kicking. Having added size to his frame, he has become a strong presence at the stoppages, with recruiters viewing him as a prospect with plenty of upside as he continues to develop. Widely rated as a likely top-10 prospect in the 2026 pool, he is tied to the Giants. Rival clubs are tipped to bid early on the combine invitee, but Greater Western Sydney is fully expected to match any offer.