At just 16 years old, Harriett Sinclair is making waves in the world of Australian rules football. After wrapping up her campaign with the Orange Tigers a month ago, she has not let up, continuing her training with intense wind sprints at Riawena Oval. The young athlete’s commitment to maintaining mid-season form is impressive, especially as she balances her studies in Year 11 at Kinross.
“I pretty much have something every afternoon of the week, so that doesn’t do too well with studying,” Sinclair remarked with a laugh. “But it helps keep my mind busy, and that’s what I enjoy the most.” Her determination and effort paid off in the 2025 season, where she achieved significant personal milestones, including being named the youth girls’ best and fairest winner and securing a spot on the AFL Central West open women’s team of the year.
Sinclair’s journey in football took a significant leap forward when she joined the under-18 GWS Giants Academy squad over the summer. “In Sydney, you have such a clear path if you want to get selected, but Central West is a bit closed off to it,” she explained. “Being exposed to the Giants Academy is a good pathway to get noticed and get those opportunities.”
The influence of her father, a devoted Geelong Cats supporter from Victoria, played a crucial role in Sinclair’s early interest in the sport. “He’s a very big AFL fan, and I’ve grown up with AFL being on our TV,” she said. Once a team was established locally, her father’s encouragement led her to take her first steps into the sport at just 14 years old in 2022.
Reflecting on her initial experiences, Sinclair recalls the challenges of competing against older and physically stronger players. “There were a lot of bigger girls than me, and it was mainly me trying to run away from them and use my speed,” she noted. However, as she developed her skills and began to seize opportunities like those offered by the Giants, her aspirations for a future in the AFLW began to solidify.
“Whenever those opportunities come, I’m going to take it,” Sinclair stated confidently. “The thing that I love the most is they’re such amazing athletes, but they all have other lives while balancing a job.” This admiration for the professionalism and dedication of established players fuels her motivation. “I would 100 percent take that chance if I had it, and that’s what motivates me every day to do the training and the hard work.”
As Sinclair approaches the final year of high school, the uncertainty surrounding her sporting future remains. Yet with another summer in the Giants Academy on the horizon, she is eager to see how her relentless dedication, rigorous training, and competitive spirit will shape her path in Australian rules football. With her sights firmly set on the AFLW, Sinclair exemplifies the determination and talent of a rising star in the sport.
