Josaia Delana says he was inspired to pursue a career in AFL after witnessing NRL star Israel Folau's switch to Australian rules football as a way for the Giants to win over fans in rugby league heartland.
"It's a real surreal feeling from being just some kid that was just kicking the ball at the park to now an AFL-listed player," Delana told AAP.
"When GWS first started out I had known them because of Israel Folau going from rugby league to AFL.
"I was like, 'Why would he do that sort of thing? Like, he doesn't even know how to play AFL. What a weird sport.'
"It was never big anywhere. None of my friends at school, none of my family, no one in the neighbourhood, in the community, no one watched or played AFL."