AFL trade news: Young Giant Tanner Bruhn weighing up return home

The former first-round pick has been linked to the exit.

EDITOR | June 30, 2022 - 9:31am

3862

GWS Giants youngster Tanner Bruhn is understood to be weighing up a move back to his home state of Victoria in 2022.

Bruhn joined the Giants as the 12th overall selection in the 2020 National Draft and has played 24 games in the orange and charcoal across hi stwo seasons in New South Wales.

The 20-year-old was among a trio of Giants taken as first-round selection in the draft, however fellow top 2020 recruits Ryan Angwin and Conor Stone have already signed-on at the Giants until the end of the 2024 season.

According to AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey, Bruhn has been offered a two-year deal to extend his stay with Greater Western Sydney, however is yet to sign on the dotted line.

The Geelong Falcons product's hesitancy comes as he is reportedly considering a move back to Victoria to be closer to family, despite spending just two seasons with the Giants.

"He’s considering a move back to Victoria,” Twomey told SEN.

“He’s out of contract in only his second year at the Giants. He’s got family pull back home.

“He’s had a two-year contract put in front of him from the Giants for some time now, but so far, he’s not signed it.

“They’re very keen to keep him, clearly, they used pick 12 on him in the 2020 draft.

“He’s the only top 15 pick from that year’s draft who isn’t signed beyond this year. There are obviously some warning signs there.

“It’s not opportunity-based, he’s played 11 games this season and 13 last year, had a good game recently with a couple of goals and 24 touches against North Melbourne.

“He’s a really talented player. There’s going to be clubs looking at him for sure and they’re all aware he’s considering a move back home.”

Should Bruhn depart the Giants it would be another retention blow for the decade-old club, who have lost an array of stars to interstate clubs since their inauguration.

GWS recently lost young midfield duo Jye Caldwell (Essendon) and Jackson Hately (Adelaide) after the pair spent just two terms in Sydney's west.