James Peatling
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Sydney, New South Wales
GIANTS Academy (Talent League)
Pennant Hills (AFL Sydney)
| James Peatling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Peatling with Adelaide in May 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | James Peatling | ||
| Nicknames | Jappa, JP[1] | ||
| Born |
21 August 2000 Sydney, New South Wales | ||
| Original teams |
Greater Western Sydney (VFL) GIANTS Academy (Talent League) Pennant Hills (AFL Sydney) | ||
| Draft | No. 8, 2021 mid-season rookie draft | ||
| Debut | Round 20, 2021, Greater Western Sydney vs. Port Adelaide, at Docklands Stadium | ||
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lb) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Adelaide | ||
| Number | 25 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2021–2024 | Greater Western Sydney | 45 (16) | |
| 2025– | Adelaide | 30 (14) | |
| Total | 75 (30) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 7, 2026. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
James Peatling is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for Greater Western Sydney.
Peatling grew up in the Sydney suburb of Toongabbie. In his youth, Peatling played junior football for local club Westbrook Bulldogs[2] and later amateur club Pennant Hills in the AFL Sydney Premier Division, and won a premiership for the club alongside future teammate Kieren Briggs.[3] Peatling went through the GWS Giants Academy,[4] and eventually represented the Allies in the AFL Under 18 Championship, playing 36 games and averaging 14 disposals.[5] He played for the Giant's VFL team in the 2021 season,[6] averaging 22 possessions including a 33-disposal game against Port Melbourne.[7]
AFL career
Greater Western Sydney (2021–2024)
After being passed over in two drafts, Peatling was selected by the Giants in the 2021 mid-season draft, becoming the club's first-ever mid-season draft selection.[8] Peatling made his debut against Port Adelaide in round 20 of the 2021 season,[9] collecting 19 disposals to go with 7 marks.
Peatling's true breakout season came in 2024, kicking off when he came on as the substitute for Sam Taylor against St Kilda and took a game-saving mark.[10] Peatling came in clutch again later in the year against Melbourne with a career-best 28 disposals and 11 tackles, one of which came at a critical stage of the game against future teammate Alex Neal-Bullen.[11] Peatling improved upon his career-best tackle number with 12 in the qualifying final loss to Sydney. He finished the year with 18 games, the most thus far in his career. Peatling received four-year offers from Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs at the end of his breakthrough season, as well as a four year offer to remain at the Giants.[12] On the third of October, Peatling chose Adelaide and formally requested a trade.[13]
Adelaide (2025–present)
Peatling officially joined the Adelaide Crows on the final day of the 2024 trade period,[14] joining Giants teammate Isaac Cumming who had made the same move via free agency.[15]
During 2025's Gather Round clash against Geelong, Peatling was charged with a dangerous tackle against Oisín Mullin. The Crows midfielder was suspended for one match, meaning he missed facing his former side Greater Western Sydney the following round.[16] Peatling polled votes in the Showdown Medal against Port Adelaide, during which he had a career-high 12 tackles.[17][18]
