Connor Idun Biography

After reconnecting with his dad and older brother at the start of 2024 for the first time since he was five, Connor Idun travelled to Ghana in October to further explore his identity.

The 25-year-old was born in Essex, England, to a Ghanaian father, but moved to Australia with his mother when he was five after his parents split, and they settled in Drysdale on the Bellarine Peninsula.

"I think I'm very high energy, I treat everyone equally, positive in all circumstances. So, yes, I wanted to know where I get that from and just seeing the people of Ghana and the family I met, I instantly understood why," he said.

"They never wiped the smile off their face. We're grateful for everything, very respectful, which is all traits that I try and pride myself on and I spotted. I think it did resonate like I am who I am, and very quickly, too, within the first couple of days of me being there."

Connor Idun is on a journey to find out more about his Ghanaian heritage.

Idun was born in Essex, England, but grew up nearly 17,000km away from his Ghanaian father in Victoria after his parents split when he was five. Idun's mother relocated them to Melbourne before settling in Drysdale, where the African population was so small that he was the only boy of colour in primary school.

The 25-year-old hadn't seen his dad, Zac, or his older brother, Chris, for ten years when they came to watch him play for the first time at Engie Stadium last March. Their first interaction in a decade was captured on live television when Brian Taylor unwittingly intercepted them in the rooms on Channel 7 after the win over Collingwood.

Since that moment, Idun has reconnected with his father, who is a Scotland Yard detective, and that side of his family. He was quickly added to the Idun WhatsApp group and feels increasingly more attached to his Ghanaian culture by the day.

"When I came to the club I didn't know too much about my heritage; I knew I was Ghanaian, but I couldn't tell you if it was east Africa or west Africa. When people were asking me, I found it a bit embarrassing that I didn't know," Idun told AFL.com.au.

"I think that lack of connection with my dad hurt me with just knowing about it. Once I came to the club, 'Cogs' is really good at embracing cultures and knowing about where he's from, so I looked up to that and thought it was time I started learning more about why I am who I am. I got real curious and started looking at athletes around the world who are Ghanaian and followed them closely. I found it really cool that I'm from somewhere different."

The AFL hands down bans and fines to several GWS players for their behaviour at an end-of-season function.

After an AFL Integrity Unit investigation, the players were found to have breached AFL rule 2.3a, which involves conduct unbecoming.

Young Giant Josh Fahey has been banned for four matches while Jake Riccardi, Joe Fonti, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas and Cooper Hamilton have all been banned for two games.

Captain Toby Greene and other senior Giants players Sam Taylor, Tom Green, Lachie Keefe, Harry Perryman, Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield have been fined $5000 each.

Whitfield and Idun were fined for both their role in performing a skit and for a breach of leadership duties, while the other senior Giants were penalised for not intervening as leaders of the club.

"There is nothing funny or clever about these actions and we are not as a code and competition prepared to accept these behaviours," AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.

"For the most part our clubs and our AFL players do the right thing and can come together to celebrate or commiserate without the type of behaviour demonstrated here.

"What transpired at the function is not acceptable – not to the other men, women or anyone who is part of the club. Not for all the people in our industry and not for the wider public."

Connor Idun has stepped it up in 2023, taking his game to a new level in GWS's backline over the past month.

"I think my last month of footy's been getting to where I really want to be as a player," Idun told AFL.com.au.

"I had a chat to 'Kingers' (coach Adam Kingsley) a couple of months ago about being a bit more assertive and starting to take more intercept possessions.

"I think I've taken that part of my game to another level. Obviously, there's still a lot of work to go, but I think I'm on the right track, for sure."

Connor Idun signs a new four-year with GWS to remain at the club until the end of 2026.

Connor Idun makes his AFL debut for GWS with 8 disposals (5 kicks and 3 handballs), 3 marks and 2 tackles in a 2-point win over Sydney.

GWS select Connor Idun with pick No.61 in the 2018 National Draft.

“Connor is a versatile tall who is a real competitor," GWS recruiting manager Adrian Caruso said.

“He has athleticism and is a point of difference on our list. We traded up for him as it balanced our draft out with a key position player to mix in with the other types of players we brought in.”