Report: Giants planning to make All-Australian star the highest paid player ever at his position
GWS is planning to make Sam Taylor the highest paid key defender in the history of the game, according to Sam McClure.
The 24-year-old was the All-Australian full-back in 2022 and likely would have been again in 2023 if not for injury.
He comes out of contract at the end 2025, with McClure reporting that the Giants are keen to lock him in before the end of this year.
“I want to put him on the radar – Sam Taylor, the premier key defender of the competition right now … Matthew Lloyd has compared him to Matthew Scarlett, he’s out of contract at the end of next year,” McClure told the Tradies podcast.
“A month ago, the Giants opened up discussions to extend him. My understanding is they are currently looking at a six-year deal, potentially more, and that it would mean that he is the highest paid key defender in the history of the game, surpassing Jeremy McGovern, whose contract peaked at just over $1.3 million.
“He’s on $800,000 at the moment (Taylor) and it goes up with the CBA next year. Taylor earning $800,000 is as good a value as you get, particularly for a position that is very hard to find players of his value.
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“I think the Giants would like for him to sign for longer. They’d like a Josh Kelly or Stephen Coniglio eight or nine-year deal, but I think the starting point will be six.
“But he will clearly be one of the best paid players in the competition from 2026 onwards … and they’ll want to get this done before the end of this year, they won’t want him going into next year out of contract.
“The West Coast Eagles have already flagged with his management that they’re significantly interested, as they should be.
“I would be highly surprised if he was to leave the Giants.”
Taylor won GWS’ best and fairest in his All-Australian year of 2022 and has had an outstanding start to the 2024 season.
