Josaia Delana
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East Coast Eagles (Sydney AFL)
| Josaia Delana | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Nickname | Joey[1] | ||
| Born | 1 July 2006 | ||
| Original teams |
Greater Western Sydney (VFL) East Coast Eagles (Sydney AFL) | ||
| Draft | Category B rookie selection | ||
| Debut | Round 8, 2025, Greater Western Sydney vs. Sydney, at Sydney Cricket Ground | ||
| Height | 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb) | ||
| Position | Medium forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Greater Western Sydney | ||
| Number | 38 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2025– | Greater Western Sydney | 7 (0) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 7, 2026. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Josaia Delana (born 1 July 2006) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL).[2]
Delana comes from a family of Fijian Australians in Western Sydney. In his youth, Delana played association football for the Blacktown Spartans and rugby league for the Kellyville Bushrangers and the Hills District Bulls.[3] Despite a strong junior career in league,[4] he switched to junior Australian rules football and played for the East Coast Eagles in AFL Sydney before joining the Academy program of the GWS Giants. He then represented the Giants' reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[2]
Delana's switch from rugby league to Australian rules at the age of 13 was inspired by former Greater Western Sydney player Israel Folau.[5][6] Delana represented the Allies on four occasions during his junior football career.[2]
He was elevated to a position in the club's senior AFL team through a Category B rookie selection in 2024.
AFL career
Delana made his debut for the Giants in the round 8 Sydney Derby against the Sydney Swans.[7][8] He extended his one-year contract following three games in his debut season.[1]
Personal life
Josaia has a younger brother named Rai who has aspirations of becoming a professional athlete.[9] Their father, Josaia Sr., played rugby league in the Parramatta Junior Rugby League as well as for South Sydney's reserves team and for the Montpellier Red Devils in France.[3]
