Ty Gallop Biography

Ty Gallop says he's happy to play key defence "forever" if that's what Brisbane need.

After spending his entire life playing as a forward, including the 2025 premiership in just his sixth AFL game, Gallop was thrust to the other end of the ground a month ago when the Lions hit an injury crisis.

Since then, the 20-year-old has fitted seamlessly into Chris Fagan's back seven.

"I'm only in my second year. Just to be playing AFL is still amazing to me, so when 'Fages' gave me the call and said you may be down back this week, I was just pumped to have a run," he said.

'I played one game down back in the QAFL when I was coming through and that's it.

"I think it's great to be able to get as much experience under the belt as I can whether that's up forward or down back, I'm happy."

Ty Gallop has emerged as an unlikely key defender for Brisbane, and co-captain Harris Andrews is all for it.

Despite being a premiership forward in just his sixth career game last year, Gallop was shuffled to the backline to cover defensive gaps caused by injuries.

"I don't think there's any negatives in regards to him playing in the backline for his forward craft in the future," Andrews said.

"He's learning things on the fly now, seeing things from a different angle. I've really enjoyed playing with him

"To be alongside him is really invigorating for me. I love having him down there."

Ty Gallop and Sam Marshall will run out on Grand Final day together as Brisbane teammates, but it won't be a first for them.

The teenage tyros were virtual neighbours on Queensland's Sunshine Coast when they teamed up to guide the Kawana Park Eagles to an under-12 premiership in 2018.

"For us to play our junior footy together and now be doing this here is not something I take for granted," Gallop said.

Ty Gallop has shown he is made of the right stuff, but Brisbane Academy coach Mitch Hahn says it could have easily been a different story.

"He wasn't loving the game," Hahn said.

"He came to the Academy and said he needed to get back to enjoying footy, so he went back to Maroochydore and played Colts.

"He has a close connection with a lot of his mates there and they went on and won the Grand Final.

"He came back in his 18th year (2024) and committed 100 per cent. He fell back in love with the game and was ready. He was a different animal that flicked the switch."

Ty Gallop makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at Adelaide Oval with 6 disposals (2 kicks and 4 handballs), 2 marks, 4 tackles and 2 hitouts in a 5-point loss to Adelaide.

Brisbane select Ty Gallop with pick No.42 in the 2024 National Draft.