GWS star Josh Kelly has a multi-million eight-year contract trigger clause he can exercise that would make him a Giant for life.
Kelly, who comes out of contract at season’s end, is also a restricted free agent with Victorian clubs reportedly ready to pounce if he decides to leave the Giants.
Sportsday host Sam McClure understands that Kelly is currently “50-50” to stay at GWS as he weighs up a possible return to Victoria.
Matthew Lloyd asked McClure on Sportsday on Monday night: “Where do you see it (Kelly contract situation) right now? 50-50 or more likely to stay with the Giants?”
McClure replied: “I think it’s a real 50-50. I think it’s somewhat dependent on his form, I think it’s somewhat dependent on how the Giants go.
“He’s toyed with the idea, Josh, for the last four years of coming home and there will be plenty of suitors, particularly given his recent form. Plenty of teams with money in their salary cap.
“He’s got an eight-year trigger in his contract, but he’s actually still a free agent at the end of this year. He’s got eight years at the best part of a $1 million a year to trigger.
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“I think that Josh Kelly will either be on a different contract at GWS next year, or I think he’ll be at another club. That is just a personal opinion. I’m not saying that I know that to be the case, that’s just the people that I speak to.”
GWS football boss Jason McCartney is optimistic that Kelly will remain at the Giants beyond this season as discussions between the club and his management continue.
“Discussions have been really positive, and he’s obviously played some really good football in an adjustment of roles,” McCartney told Sportsday.
“We’ll just keep working away on that. There’s no indications there at the moment that he wouldn’t be playing at the Giants, that’s for sure.”
Kelly was heavily courted by North Melbourne in 2017 with the Kangaroos offering the midfielder a nine-year deal worth more than $10 million.
The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal to stay at the Giants and inked another two-year contract in 2019.
He is averaging a tick over 24 disposals per game in 2021.
