Riley rivals footy’s best with NSW/ACT

The tall forward plays in the under-18s for Narrandera in the Riverina Football Netball League - the top of the ladder side.

Riley has also played local and representative football all around the district.

He grew up playing footy, predominantly for the Coly Blues, but changed to Narrandera in 2025 to play with his older brothers.

He has also occasionally played for Jerilderie in the Picola League, including as a member of their under-14s premiership side in 2023.

Last month he was recognised as one of the best players for his age across the state, making the final squad for one of two trial games held at Casey Fields in Melbourne.

He was called up for NSW/ACT after his performance for the GWS Giants Academy against the Sydney Swans Academy a month earlier.

Up against under-18s Talent League players, Boag kicked three goals and assisted more, bolting him into the final futures trial team.

In the earlier game, Vic Country took on Queensland, followed by Riley’s NSW/ACT who took on the cream of the crop of Melbourne’s junior Australian football players in the Vic Metro team.

Riley said NSW/ACT lost by around 90 points, with the team beaten convincingly in the first half, but they brought the game into a closer contest in the third quarter.

While defeated, Riley said it was a great experience.

“I learned a lot being with the team, and from the players.

“(What stood out) was just how fast-paced the game was, you had to be ready.

“The coaches were also all really good.”

Riley described himself as a tall, key position, deep forward that plays ruck to full forward.

For the Giants, he started forward and switched into the ruck, and in the futures match played deep forward and high half forward.

The young footy star said he will continue to push himself in footy for higher honours in his top-age season of junior football.

“I’ll see if I get picked (for further programs/teams).

“Then I’ll start again next year, and hopefully play Talent League.”