Brent Daniels signs with GWS Giants until end of 2031 AFL season

GWS has avoided a potential free agency fight to retain Brent Daniels, locking away one of its star small forwards on a long-term contract extension.

Giants Brent Daniels celebrates kicking a goal during the AFL Round 23 match between the GWS Giants and Fremantle Dockers at Engie Stadium on August 17, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

Giants small forward Brent Daniels admits even he is surprised how quickly his career turned around, putting several injury-plagued seasons behind him to sign a new six-year contract with GWS.

Daniels has been one of the form players in the competition across the past two months, lighting up the Giants forward line as they secured a top-four finish.

He was already recognised earlier this week by being selected to the 44-man All-Australian squad, but his new contract, which will take him through to the end of 2031 in Western Sydney, reflects just how integral he is to Adam Kingsley’s plans.

Daniels always saw his future at the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“If you had told me two years ago that I’d be getting a six-year contract extension, I’d probably tell you that you were kidding yourself,” Daniels said. “And if you had told me I was in the All-Australian squad, I wouldn’t have known what happened with my football.

“My main focus recently has been getting my body right and returning to the field. But over the past 18 months, my form has been really strong and this year I’ve had a consistent season.

“Once I was playing good footy, I was always looking to extend for a long time. And to be honest, I never looked at leaving the Giants because they’ve done so much for me.

“Everyone says they don’t play for the individual recognition, but it is always nice to get recognised when I feel like I’ve had a really consistent season. Everyone speaks about it recently that I’m underrated, but can probably put that to bed now.

“Being recognised in that squad, it’s a great honour and something that I’ll no doubt look back on. It might not ever happen again, so it’s something I’m trying to relish.”

Daniels (L) and Sam Taylor (R) have become two of the Giants’ most important players after being drafted in 2017. Picture: Richard Dobson

The 2017 draft was a profitable one for the Giants. They selected Daniels with pick 27, before then taking Sam Taylor, the key defender who recently signed a long contract extension of his own, with the very next selection.

After breaking into the team and having a big impact in 2019 as the Giants marched to the grand final, Daniels’ career then hit some “roadblocks”.

Hamstring injuries kept him on the sidelines, including for the entirety of the 2022 season. But his determination to return is part of the reason his current form is so remarkable. He left no stone unturned, including a trip to the University of Wisconsin organised by the Giants to revolutionise his rehabilitation.

The 25-year-old has put his hamstring issues behind him to become one of the best small forwards in the AFL. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“The club was good enough to send me over there and learned some things about my body,” Daniels said. “But mainly it was about finding a good routine and then getting the Ks under my legs.

“I had a pretty good start to my career and then hit those roadblocks when I thought I was going to take my game to the next level. It was frustrating and annoying I couldn’t get on the park. But if I didn’t have those injuries, I might not be the player I am today.

“Even last year, there were periods where I had big doubts about my body. I was playing games still doubting myself and worried. But this year, I’ve gotten over that.

“I’ve been able to attack games the way I want to without the little voice in the back of my head questioning things. Footy is a short career, and you want to make the most of it while you’re there … I’m so grateful.”

Daniels is leading the AFL for goals assists (33) in 2024 and is a genuine chance to earn his first All-Australian blazer on Thursday night – “I think I might have left my run a little bit later,” he claims.

Daniels has a great history of stepping up in finals. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

But his focus is solely on helping the Giants secure their first premiership. The 25-year-old has proven before he’s made for the big stage, especially when he kicked the match-winner in the 2019 semifinal against the Lions.

After being a late omission against the Bulldogs with a lower back issue, he’s ready to help lead this team to the promised land.

“The back is fine,” he said. “I’ve had a similar thing in the past, played with it and come off second best so it was just precautionary.

“I kind of wish the final was this Saturday. It’s what we play for and I can’t wait to get out there.

“The main thing that comes out of last year is we know our brand stacks up when it matters. We know we can play a really good brand of footy.”