Finn Callaghan

Callaghan's father Brett was a 400m runner who competed for Australia at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.^[1]

He spent his high school years at St Bedes College. He played junior football for Mordialloc-Braeside Junior Football Club.^[2] After missing selection in the under-16 Vic Metro side, he had a major growth spurt and added 20 centimetres to his frame. The extra confidence stemming from his height combined with the already developing deadly ball usage created dominant performances early with the Sandringham Dragons, garnering his selection in the Australian Under-18s team.^[3]

Finn Callaghan was selected by the Greater Western Sydney with pick three in the 2021 AFL draft.^[4] The Giants were impressed with his penetrating kicking and aerial ability.

He had a slow start to his career, settling in Sydney in December and dealing with a niggling foot injury in 2021, he spent the pre-season doing rehab. Finally fit, he made his debut against Melbourne in round 5 at the MCG. His foot troubles persisted and required an unusual solution, including having part of a bone removed from his foot^[5] He signed a two-year contract extension in February 2023.^[6]

In 2023 after finding himself playing on the wing, a series of good performances earned Callaghan the round 7 Rising Star nomination.^[7] He had 26 disposals and 10 marks in his teams’ one-point victory over cross-town rivals Sydney.^[8] Callaghan then played his first finals series with GWS in 2023 and had an 18 disposal performance against St. Kilda in the 101-77 elimination final win.^[9]

Ahead of the 2025 season, it was reported that St Kilda had offered Callaghan $17 million AUD over the duration of a 10 year contract to move to the Saints at the end of the season.^[10] However, Callaghan rejected the offer and signed a 4 year contract extension with the Giants, days after the report about the St Kilda offer.^[11][12]

Callaghan won the Brett Kirk Medal in Round 20, 2025.^[13]

Updated to the end of Opening Round, 2026.^[14]

Notes