GWS Giants have secured another of their guns to a long-term contract with Josh Kelly committing to the club for the next eight seasons.
The 26-year-old joins Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes as players likely to finish their career with the Giants.
Kelly had a clause inserted a two-year deal signed in 2019 that allowed him to either use free agency to move to another club or activate an eight-year contract until the end of 2029.
North Melbourne was one of several Victorian clubs interested in the midfielder in both 2019 and presently, but Kelly has decided to remain at the Giants until well-past his 34th birthday on a deal reportedly worth around $1m-per-season.
Kelly has played 151 games for GWS, making the 2017 All Australian team when he also won the Giants' best-and-fairest, and he has enjoyed a brilliant year in 2021, averaging 25.6 disposals.
"I couldn’t be happier to commit my future to the Giants as I see big things coming for the club," Kelly said on the Giants' official website.
"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."
GWS general manager of football Jason McCartney was ecstatic to add Kelly to a list of star players that will be playing football at the club long-term.
"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," McCartney said.
"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 careers at the club."
Whitfield is signed until the end of 2027, Greene and Coniglio have deals that run until 2026, while Haynes is contracted until the conclusion of the 2024 campaign.
