Phoenix Gothard

Phoenix Gothard (born 7 September 2005) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life and junior football Hailing from Albury, Gothard grew up with cricket as his number one sport, but eventually switched to Australian football.

He played his junior football for St Patricks Junior Football Club in the Albury Wodonga Junior Football League, and went on to represent the Murray Bushrangers in the Talent League (where he met future AFL opponent Connor O'Sullivan) and the Allies.

AFL career Gothard was drafted by the with the twelfth pick overrall in the 2023 national draft. He attended the national draft at Docklands Stadium not as a draft hopeful, but as a friend of eleventh-pick Connor O'Sullivan, and was therefore surprised to hear his name called.

He played the entirety of his first two seasons at Victorian Football League (VFL) level, representing 's reserves team. Gothard finally earned his chance following his third pre-season, making his senior debut in the opening round match against in 2026, 838 days after being drafted. In round six, he recorded 20 disposals and two goals in the Sydney Derby to earn a Rising Star nomination. Often playing in the midfield, Gothard set a new personal-best record in round eleven with 29 disposals, two goals and ten tackles in the win against the reigning premiers, , also becoming the highest-rated player of the round.

Statistics Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.

16 !! 18 !! 12 !! 104 !! 125 !! 229 !! 31 !! 59 !! 1.1 !! 0.8 !! 6.5 !! 7.8 !! 14.3 !! 1.9 !! 3.7 !! 0