GWS forward Jake Riccardi backs club’s long-term deal to re-sign Sam Taylor

As more AFL clubs move towards handing their best player long-term deals, a GWS star has backed the club’s decision to hand defensive linchpin Sam Taylor a new seven-year contract.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. May 11, 2024. AFL Round 10. Essendon vs GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium. Sam Taylor of the Giants marks during the 3rd qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein

Giants forward Jake Riccardi believes long contracts for superstars are here to stay following Sam Taylor’s mammoth extension.

The All Australian full back recently penned a seven-year deal, on top of his existing contract that expired in 2025, to remain in Western Sydney until the end of the 2032 season.

The monster contract made him the equal-longest contracted player in the AFL, with Bulldog Aaron Naughton’s eight-year deal also expiring at the end of 2032.

But despite the risk of potential injuries, retirement and underperforming while on the monster deal, Riccardi endorsed the decision to re-sign Taylor and said it sent “a huge message”.

Sam Taylor has signed on for seven years with GWS. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s the standard practice these days with guys as good as him, I’m just glad that I can be his teammate for as long as that,” he said.

“I would’ve been spewing if he would’ve left, but I don’t really think that was an option with him.

“He’s a great leader of the club, he’s a great player and I think he really loves it out here in Sydney, so it was really nice to see that on Tuesday.

“With these contracts, you think well he’s staying at the club for seven years, it’s a big commitment, but I think the bigger part of that is he hasn’t waited until next year where you allow clubs to start poking their head around.

“Even up to now teams would’ve been doing that and he’s just said ‘nope, no thanks, I’ll be here pretty much forever’.

“It’s a huge message for us, he’s our best player, or one of our best players, wants to stay here forever, so we should all follow.”

Jake Riccardi and the Giants are heading to Tasmania to face Hawthorn. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Giants are set to face Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday, with the Hawks one of the most in-form teams in the competition.

Once predicted as a wooden-spoon candidate, due to a winless first five rounds of the season, the Hawks have rebounded with five wins in the last seven weeks, including a one-point loss to Port Adelaide.

They have won six of the last eight games at UTAS Stadium.

Originally published as GWS forward Jake Riccardi backs club’s long-term deal to re-sign Sam Taylor