GWS Giants Jason McCartney reveals new contract offers for Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield and Zac Williams
As three key members of GWS Giants’ grand final side consider contract offers, new Giants football boss Jason McCartney says discussions are already “well advanced” with Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield and Zac Williams.
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Jeremy Cameron, Lachie Whitfield and Zac Williams are mulling over contract offers from the Giants, with new football boss Jason McCartney hungry to keep the club’s stars together.
On his first day as the club’s General Manager of Football Operations, McCartney said all three players, each out of contract in 2020, had been presented with new deals and positive discussions were ongoing.
McCartney moves up from his role as list manager to take charge of the club’s football department following the departure of former boss Wayne Campbell.
And it is McCartney’s success in convincing a host of top talent to commit to the club in recent years, including Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly, that told the club he was the man to take it forward.
McCartney has yet to welcome the full squad back for pre-season training but work is already underway to ensure another big push this year – and beyond.
And in a big statement of intent, the club is determined to lock Cameron, Whitfield and Williams into place.
“They’ve been presented with offers,” McCartney said.
“We’re well advanced in those discussions. You never exactly know until they’re signed but all the indications from players and their management are that they’re really comfortable and happy where they are.
“In fairness to Jeremy in particular, that was left alone all year so he could really focus on the footy but we’ve had some good conversations post-season. Lachie’s (talks) started later in the year and with Zac we kicked off those negotiations as soon as the season finished – like Jeremy, just in fairness to Zac to let him, get a year of footy under his belt again.
“When you talk strategy of a football club, the biggest part of the strategy is the list management and your contracting strategy. That will continue to be a big piece of my role.
“Some (players) might be tempted (to leave) at some stage but I’m really proud of the culture and the whole environment that’s been built since day one by many people that were here before I arrived.
“There’s an outstanding foundation here, from others before me and what Wayne (Campbell) has done over the last four years. I’ll add my flavour to it, I’ll do things differently but it’s not like I have to come in and make wholesale changes.”
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McCartney is understood to have a very good relationship with the playing squad and in one of his previous roles at the AFL/AIS Academy coached Coniglio, Cameron and Whitfield.
There had been considerable speculation surrounding the future of Campbell and the expected parting of the ways was confirmed yesterday.
“Following the conclusion of the 2019 AFL season we carefully assessed the structure of our Football Department and have identified enhanced performance in a number of key areas,” Giants CEO David Matthews said.
“Jason McCartney brings a wealth of experience to this new role and he has done an outstanding job overseeing player retention and acquisition. Jason’s existing relationships with our playing group, coaching staff and wider football department staff sees him well placed to ensure a smooth leadership transition as we head towards the 2020 AFL and AFLW seasons.
“We wish Wayne Campbell the best for the future and thank him for his contribution since joining the club at the start of the 2016 AFL season.”