Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron says he refuses to put a timeline on Josh Kelly’s contract situation.
Kelly is out of contract at the end of the 2019 season, and despite the interest he is set to attract from rival clubs, Cameron won’t be forcing a due date on his signature.
However, Cameron did confirm the club and Kelly have made some positive progress compared to when the star midfielder was out of contract in 2017.
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“It’s a talking point and we can’t deny it,” Cameron told SEN Breakfast.
“We are not going to shy away from it and say I’m sick of that being asked because it is what it is.
“In terms of Josh, we definitely have a discussion over a coffee, I don’t do it regularly. It’s once or twice every month to see how it is going.
“We feel it is progressing well. A fair bit quicker than what it was a couple years ago because we have had some really good dialogue.
“His manager has been fantastic and we feel we are in a really good space and we think it’s going to start heating up.
“I would have to say we are in a really good position of having that really good dialogue.
“Two years ago it probably took until two thirds of the way through the year.
“Hopefully, from a selfish point of view, we can get it done before the season starts but I’m mindful there is another party.”
Cameron explained why putting a timeline on when players need to sign by is an inexact science.
“I’m not a believer on a timeline,” he said.
“It’s hard putting a timeline on because I can’t turn around and say, 'Josh Kelly can you please sign by July 30 because we might be advancing into potentially a fourth finals series in a row and it might disrupt it'.
“It just doesn’t happen.
“If Josh Kelly signs at the end of the year for fives years, fantastic, magnificent.
“If Josh Kelly re-signs for five years at the start of the year, is it better off because it takes it off the table and it's not a talking point? Absolutely.
“At the end of the day, all I’m worried about, is Josh Kelly staying at the Giants.”
Kelly averaged 26.3 disposals per game in 2018.
Listen to Leon Cameron’s chat with Garry Lyon, Tim Watson and Bob Murphy on SEN Breakfast in the player below