Josh Kelly has re-signed with GWS until the end of 2019
GWS STAR Josh Kelly says he looked at big-money offers from rival clubs but was never swayed after announcing he is staying with the Giants.
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GWS STAR Josh Kelly has turned his back on rival offers to re-sign with the Giants.
Kelly has inked a new two-year deal, locking him in until the end of 2019.
Kelly’s playing future has been the subject of intense speculation this year with clubs including North Melbourne, Carlton, St Kilda and Essendon courting the 22-year-old.
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However, the All-Australian midfielder said it was a quick and easy decision to stay.
“I did look at them but they never swayed me,” he said on Monday.
“It’s something I never really faced before so it was new to me ... being away from the fishbowl that is Melbourne made it easier.
“There was never any pressure from the club. A few jokes from teammates but otherwise I could sweep that focus aside.
It is a major boost for the Giants ahead of its preliminary final showdown with Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.
It was reported earlier this year North Melbourne had tabled a mega nine-year deal to lure Kelly back to his home state.
The gun midfielder has missed just one match this year in a breakout season and Giants football boss Wayne Campbell said there were some nervous moments.
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“We were a little nervous. For an elite decision maker on the field he can procrastinate a fair bit off it,” he said.
“He’s made some enormous sacrifices. He understands we’re on a journey and that sacrifices need to be made so we’re delight he’s signed.
“This is an enormous endorsement for the club
Kelly is the third-favourite to win the Brownlow Medal behind Tigers star Dustin Martin and Hawk Tom Mitchell.
Kelly joins fellow young guns Lachie Whitfield and Jacob Hopper in re-signing with the Giants in recent weeks, while out-of-contract forward Devon Smith’s future remains unclear.
Smith has been heavily linked with Geelong.
Originally published as Josh Kelly has re-signed with GWS until the end of 2019
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