Ryan Mardling
2026 AFL Draft
Power Rankings- Position
- General Defender
- Height
- 189 cm
- Age at draft
- 18y 4m
- Plays for
- GWS GIANTS Academy
- Tied to
GWS academy- Bid expected
- GWS to match
- Draft night
- 19 November
| 2026 averages | GM | KI | HB | DI | CP | MA | TA | CL | I50 | R50 | IT | SI | GL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talent League | 6 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 11.0 | - | 1.7 | 1.5 | - | 0.2 | 3.2 | - | - | 0.0 |
| Championships | 2 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 8.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Bio
Ryan Mardling is a tall, athletic defender tied to the GWS GIANTS Academy. Rising through the ranks at junior club Westbrook and the Pennant Hills Demons in the AFL Sydney competition, the Western Sydney product has shown great maturity playing senior football. His strong form in the Premier Division earned him an AFL Sydney Rising Star nomination in round 10 of his draft year, paving the way for his selection for the Allies at the under-18 National Championships. He was also a regular feature for the Giants Academy in the Talent League.
A smooth-moving left-footer, Mardling has forged a reputation as a reliable one-on-one competitor who is rarely beaten. Observers note his ability to repeatedly nullify or halve crucial contests, while bringing a calming influence to the backline and making smart decisions with the ball in hand. Having successfully added an attacking element to his defensive craft, he profiles as a well-rounded prospect. As an academy tied player, the Giants are expected to match any rival bids for him at the national draft.
Talent League career
6 games0 goals
- Debut
- R4 2026 v BRL11 Apr 2026
- Most recent
- R9 2026 v DAN16 May 2026
Stats
Bio
Ryan Mardling is a tall, athletic defender tied to the GWS GIANTS Academy. Rising through the ranks at junior club Westbrook and the Pennant Hills Demons in the AFL Sydney competition, the Western Sydney product has shown great maturity playing senior football. His strong form in the Premier Division earned him an AFL Sydney Rising Star nomination in round 10 of his draft year, paving the way for his selection for the Allies at the under-18 National Championships. He was also a regular feature for the Giants Academy in the Talent League.
A smooth-moving left-footer, Mardling has forged a reputation as a reliable one-on-one competitor who is rarely beaten. Observers note his ability to repeatedly nullify or halve crucial contests, while bringing a calming influence to the backline and making smart decisions with the ball in hand. Having successfully added an attacking element to his defensive craft, he profiles as a well-rounded prospect. As an academy tied player, the Giants are expected to match any rival bids for him at the national draft.
Profile
- Born
- 19 July 2008 (age 18y 97d)
- Height
- 189 cm
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRyan Mardling is a tall, athletic defender tied to the GWS GIANTS Academy. Rising through the ranks at junior club Westbrook and the Pennant Hills Demons in the AFL Sydney competition, the Western Sydney product has shown great maturity playing senior football. His strong form in the Premier Division earned him an AFL Sydney Rising Star nomination in round 10 of his draft year, paving the way for his selection for the Allies at the under-18 National Championships. He was also a regular feature for the Giants Academy in the Talent League.
A smooth-moving left-footer, Mardling has forged a reputation as a reliable one-on-one competitor who is rarely beaten. Observers note his ability to repeatedly nullify or halve crucial contests, while bringing a calming influence to the backline and making smart decisions with the ball in hand. Having successfully added an attacking element to his defensive craft, he profiles as a well-rounded prospect. As an academy tied player, the Giants are expected to match any rival bids for him at the national draft.