Josh Kelly re-signs with GWS for eight years
Josh Kelly has recommitted to Greater Wester Sydney on a whopping eight-year contract worth around $8 million, tying him to the club until his mid-30s.
The star free agent had an eight-year contract option on the table from the Giants after re-signing for two years in 2019.
The Giants confirmed late on Tuesday afternoon that Kelly had exercised the option in that deal from two years ago.
GWS star Josh Kelly.Credit:Getty Images
“I couldn’t be happier to commit my future to the Giants as I see big things coming for the club,” said Kelly in a club release.
“I’ve been a Giant since being drafted in 2013 and after weighing everything up, just can’t wait to continue building on what we have here at the Giants.
“The club has grown considerably since I’ve arrived. We’ve got a strong track record of playing finals football and I believe the best is yet to come for the Giants.
“I can’t wait for what lies ahead for this team and the club.”
Victorian midfielder Kelly, the No. 2 pick in 2013, had been courted again by North Melbourne, where his father Phil previously played.
The Kangaroos had been the clear frontrunner for Kelly’s services should he have opted to depart the Giants, but he has instead chosen to remain with the expansion club on a deal in the vicinity of $1 million per season.
Kelly, 26, is now tied to the Giants until the end of 2029, by which time he will be 34.
North had previously offered Kelly a nine-year deal when he was out-of-contract in 2017, a contract he also rebuffed.
Kelly’s option, while unusual, is not unique. Fellow Connors Sports Management Client Andrew Gaff also exercised a similar clause last year to stay with West Coast rather than head back to Victoria.
An All-Australian in 2017, Kelly’s form dipped in subsequent seasons, but he has returned to somewhere near his best this season.
He joins Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene and Lachie Whitfield in recommitting long-term to the Giants in recent years.
“This is a great endorsement of the culture and the future direction of the club and we are delighted to have Josh Kelly as a Giant for life,” said GWS chief executive Dave Matthews.
Giants football chief Jason McCartney added: “Josh is a young leader of our club, he wants to play consistent finals football and clearly believes the club will be contending for several years to come.
“We are delighted Josh now joins the likes of Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes as players that’ll spend their whole career at the club.”
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