Dylan Shiel re-signs with GWS Giants until 2019, and hopes Josh Kelly stays too

GUN midfielder Dylan Shiel has ignored the lure of big-money offers from Victorian clubs to re-commit to the GWS Giants, and hopes his close mate Josh Kelly will do the same.

Dylan Shiel has signed a new deal with the Giants. Picture: AAP

GUN midfielder Dylan Shiel has extended his time at the GWS Giants until the end of 2019 and hopes his close mate Josh Kelly will do the same.

Shiel didn’t have to weigh up a $9 million, nine-year offer like Kelly but he has still been the subject of committed interest from Victorian clubs since he left Melbourne for the Giants six years ago.

He has decided to stay on for at least another two seasons beyond this year.

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It’s the third time he has recommitted to the Giants.

“The real question I face is do I want to stay for team success or do I want to return to Melbourne where I will get more money,” Shiel said.

“I’ve spoken to blokes like Steve Johnson and Brett Deledio and they have both said money isn’t everything but team success is more important. It is something that drives me and the playing group. For us to get there we need to make personal sacrifices.”

Dylan Shiel has signed on to stay with the Giants until the end of 2019. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Johnson has played in three premierships at Geelong and wants a fourth at GWS, while former Richmond star Deledio is after his first.

Saturday’s win over North Melbourne was Shiel’s 90th game with the Giants.

The last time he played the Kangaroos at Blundstone Arena in Hobart it was just the ­Giants’ second match ever and they were beaten by 129 points. It was the first of a dozen ­century-plus beltings to come in the next three seasons.

Kelly arrived in 2014, so he only played in two of those triple-figure assaults. But one is more than enough for any player to feel the pain that comes with them.

He isn’t a foundation member like Shiel, Jeremy Cameron, Devon Smith and co but he has seen the hard times as well as the good and been a key part of their build to premiership favouritism.

Shiel hopes Giants teammate Josh Kelly will stay. Picture: AAP

“Josh’s decision is in a league of its own,” Shiel said of his mate’s possible move to the Kangaroos.

“I’m really close to him and have a lot to do with him outside the footy club.

“I know Josh wants to remain at this footy club and I hope he stays and continues to buy into the footy club.

“He has to consider his life as well and life after footy. It’s an enormous amount of money he has been offered and puts him in a really difficult situation.”

As much as Shiel and his teammates want Kelly to stay, they won’t be twisting his arm every time they see him.

“We won’t be applying any pressure to him,” Shiel said. “It’s a career decision and a life decision for him.

“In a way it was an easy decision to stay because we are in a position to achieve something.

“I know Josh sees that and I hope, we all hope, he makes a decision in favour of the Giants.”

Originally published as Dylan Shiel re-signs with GWS Giants until 2019, and hopes Josh Kelly stays too