The 17-year-old St Gregory’s College student, who has grown up in Appin, recently attended a pre-season camp in Wollongong with the GWS GIANTS AFL squad.
Matthews, who was also selected in the 2026 AFL National Academy, underlined his credentials after an impressive showing in Wollongong among the likes of Toby Greene, Clayton Oliver, Tom Green, Finn Callaghan and co.
“Ethan goes about his business in a very professional manner, gets in and does the work. He fitted nicely into the AFL group and his football did not look out of place,” said GIANTS Head of Academies, Jason Saddington.
“It’s great to see him adapt easily into an AFL environment and cope with the levels of performance, training, and demands of the program.”
Matthews, who played for the Ingleburn Magpies and South West Sydney Devils growing up, played a number of VFL senior games with the GIANTS last year as well as AFL Sydney senior games with the South West Sydney Blues.
Matthews attended a camp in New Zealand with the AFL National Academy late last year, with his training performances grabbing the eye of a number of AFL clubs.
The GIANTS though won’t want to let go of the talented midfielder, who can play in positions all over the ground.
“His footy knowledge is strong. He is naturally a good decision maker with ball in hand, and a player who reads the game well,” praised Saddington.
“He has shown great versatility to play a number of positions, half-back, wing and will spend a lot of time as a midfielder with the Academy program this year.”
The GIANTS intend to spend a lot of time this year developing Matthews, who has been touted to go in the first round of this year’s AFL National Draft, which takes place in November.
“The natural growth and progression for Ethan is his physical development which will come in time inside a professional environment and through natural growth,” said Saddington.
“He is still a lean, smooth mover and as he progresses into men’s football his speed, strength and endurance will further develop.”
Away from football, Matthews appears to have a healthy balance in his life. He was Year 10 School Dux at St Gregory’s in 2024 and will complete his HSC this year.
He also comes from a tight nit family unit, which includes talented athletes and academics. His younger sister Ava and cousin Charlotte are outstanding netballers, with Ava also a talented footballer herself.
His cousin Joel is an excellent basketballer. Older cousin Rhys is completing an honours degree in Aero Spatial Engineering.
Saddington admitted that Matthews’ life away from the footy field has been a crucial part of his on-field performance.
“We love this about Ethan. He has a great character and is a well balanced and diligently focussed young man,” he said.
“School and studies are a strong focus and it’s important and healthy that he can maintain this balance through 2026. Whilst we think he has a bright future in footy, nothing is guaranteed and it’s only a brief moment in life that you can play professionally.
“It is imperative he has great role models and family support around him.”