GIANTS CEO David Matthews to Step Down at Conclusion of 2026 Season

After more than 15 years at the helm, GIANTS CEO, David Matthews, has announced he will step down from his role at the conclusion of the 2026 AFL season.

Matthews, who joined the club in 2011 from his executive position at the AFL, has been a foundational figure in the franchise’s history, overseeing its transformation from an expansion project into a consistent contender within the national landscape.

Matthews’ tenure has been defined by the successful establishment of the club in the highly competitive markets of Western Sydney and Canberra.

Under his leadership, the GIANTS have developed a robust commercial and high-performance framework, including the securing of long-term partnerships with the ACT Government, Toyo Tires, and Harvey Norman.

His oversight was also instrumental in the development of a world-class $35 million training and administration facility at Sydney Olympic Park, providing the club with the infrastructure required to compete at the elite level.

Reflecting on his departure, Matthews acknowledged the collective effort required to build the 18th AFL licence.

“It has been a privilege to lead the GIANTS and I am grateful to the players, staff, members and fans that have built this club.”

“Now that the foundations of the club are well established it is time for the next challenge.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and firmly believe there is an exciting future ahead for the club,” Matthews said.

Expressing the board’s appreciation for Matthews’ extensive service to the organisation, GIANTS president, Tim Reed, added: “The club extends its sincere gratitude to David for his leadership, passion, and tireless contribution over more than a decade.”

“His legacy will remain embedded in the fabric of the GIANTS,” Mr Reed said.

AFL CEO, Andrew Dillon, also credited Matthews’ resilience as a key factor in the league’s expansion success.

“David has played a major role in developing and leading AFL strategies since he commenced at head office in 1998.”

“His creativity and resilience have the GIANTS in the position they are in today.

“And personally I look forward to his ongoing contribution to the growth of our game,” Dillon said.

On the field, Matthews managed the critical coaching transitions from Kevin Sheedy to Leon Cameron and eventually Adam Kingsley, a strategy that has seen the men’s team compete in eight of the last ten finals series. He was also a staunch advocate for the inception of the AFLW, ensuring the GIANTS were a foundation club in the women’s competition. These achievements helped drive the club toward a projected membership milestone of 40,000 in 2026.

The GIANTS will initiate a formal process to appoint a successor in the coming months.

Matthews will remain in his position through the end of the year to facilitate a seamless leadership transition, ensuring the club maintains its commercial and competitive momentum as it enters its next chapter.

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