A giant that refuses to grow old is gearing up for its biggest year yet.
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Goulburn Valley Giants are sounding the klaxons ahead of season 2026, with the orange army preparing to celebrate a decade of AFL Masters football the only way they know how.
Boots on, bodies strapped and plenty of laughs along the way.
Ten years in, the Giants remain one of the region’s most unique football outfits.
A club built for men aged 35 and above, it continues to offer a safe, welcoming and competitively friendly environment for those who thought their playing days were behind them — or for those who never had any to begin with.
And this year carries extra meaning.
“This year’s our 10-year anniversary for starters, so we’re really wanting to access anyone who’s played for the Giants in the past or been part of the Giants family to get together for a mid-year ball,” president Cam McGregor said.
The celebrations won’t stop there.
A March 21 fundraiser at the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club will help support both the club and the local venue, while the Giants’ first bounce of 2026 is locked in for March 29 at Kialla against Maryborough.
Training is already under way every Wednesday evening at Kialla Park, with a 5:45pm arrival for a 6pm start with the social, physical and mental benefits at the forefront of the Giants’ holistic approach.
“As a committee, we try and keep it as cost-friendly as possible and we understand that most of the guys in our group have worked for a period of time and now can start focusing on their own mental health and what that means for them,” McGregor said.
“That’s a focus we always try to have at the Giants — just getting the bum off the couch, assisting with exercise and structure and having some other blokes around to feed off when life does throw a few curve balls.”
Last year, the Giants’ average age hovered around the early to mid 40s, and in 2026 the club has its sights set on fielding both an over-35 and over-45 side.
The scope is there to expand.
Now, they just need numbers.
“It’d take the pressure off our guys who are over 50 to play the level rather than chasing 36-year-olds around the field,” McGregor said.
“What we know about footy is many people retire when they’re about 32 and never get back to it.
“Many retire at that age and don’t play for another 10 or 15 years, but come back and really enjoy it.
“The rules are the same — we’re just much more polite in how we play it.”
Importantly, the Giants see themselves as a complement to community football, not a competitor.
“In many cases, we add to other clubs,” McGregor said.
“We’ve had blokes come to the Giants, get fit again, realise their bodies are better than they thought and go back to community football. We promote that.
“This just provides an opportunity for that gap in between.
“We’re regenerating men’s health, we’re regenerating football at an older age rather than taking from what’s already existing in our community.
“We just want people around; the more heads there is, the better it is for all our health.”
Committee member and player Jim Potter is a prime example of what the Giants can offer.
The 41-year-old moved to Shepparton in 2023 and was searching for connection as much as competition.
In a stroke of luck, he stumbled upon the perfect fix in the form of the Giants.
“I didn’t know anyone in town,” Potter said.
“I wanted to play football but knowing my age, walking into a local footy club was quite daunting.
“I came across the Giants’ Facebook page at the start of 2024, rocked up and was made to feel really welcome.”
Having not played in almost 14 years, Potter returned to the field, won the club’s best-and-fairest in his first season and hasn’t looked back since.
“Training once a week and playing once a fortnight works really well for the lifestyle — young family and work — but it also provides that environment to meet new people, get a bit of exercise and have a bit of fun,” he said.
“Mental health is a big struggle for guys in our age bracket, so it does provide that outlet.
“Getting physical activity and connecting with people — they’re two of the natural anti-depressants.”
While the Giants are always chasing wins, the true victories often come in different forms.
“There’s no pressure to play,” Potter said.
“With local football, there’s probably an expectation you’re going to play every week and get to training.
“For us, there’s no pressure — it’s about getting out with a bunch of blokes, having a bit of fun, getting active and socialising.
“The biggest team celebration is when someone who’s never played before kicks their first goal. It’s almost euphoric when it happens.”
Under coach Steve Tate, the Giants continue to strike the balance between competitive and carefree, catering for former elite footballers and complete newcomers alike.
As the orange jumpers prepare to mark a decade of masters football, the message for 2026 is simple.
If you’ve still got a lingering footy itch - or have a curiosity to discover a new one - there’s a spot waiting at Kialla.
Because these Giants are only getting bigger.