GWS are reportedly preparing a huge contract extension for their star defender Sam Taylor, potentially making him the highest-paid defender in the competition.
Coming out of contract at the end of 2025, the Giants will look quickly to lock away Taylor as rivals, including from his home state Western Australia, are gearing up to make plays.
Journalist Sam McClure revealed on theย Tradiesย podcast, co-hosted with Channel 7's Mitch Cleary,ย that the most recent expansion side is set to put forward a six-year deal in front of the 2022 All-Australian, keeping him a one-club player.
โI want to put him on the radar โ Sam Taylor, the premier key defender of the competition right now โฆ Matthew Lloyd has compared him to Matthew Scarlett, he's out of contract at the end of next year,โ McClure said.
โA month ago, the Giants opened up discussions to extend him. My understanding is they are currently looking at a six-year deal, potentially more, and that it would mean that he is the highest-paid key defender in the history of the game, surpassing Jeremy McGovern, whose contract peaked at just over $1.3 million.
โHe's on $800,000 at the moment (Taylor) and it goes up with the CBA next year. Taylor earning $800,000 is as good a value as you get, particularly for a position that is very hard to find players of his value.
โI think the Giants would like for him to sign for longer. They'd like a Josh Kelly or Stephen Coniglio eight or nine-year deal, but I think the starting point will be six.
โBut he will clearly be one of the best-paid players in the competition from 2026 onwards โฆ and they'll want to get this done before the end of this year, they won't want him going into next year out of contract.
โThe West Coast Eagles have already flagged with his management that they're significantly interested, as they should be.
โI would be highly surprised if he was to leave the Giants.โ
Taylor's start to 2024 has his bargaining price reaching well over $1 million per season.
The 2022 Giants' best and fairest winner has been the most dominant defender in the competition, highlighted by his 15-0 contested defensive one-on-ones.
Taylor's teammate Harry Perryman is another one to watch as the season unfolds.
Very much a required player at the Giants, Perryman's contract situation will raise some eyebrows, with reports suggesting rival clubs are garnering interest.
"He's facing a big call,"ย AFL Media's Cal Twomey said onย Gettable.
"Does he stay loyal at the Giants or take up a significant rival offer?
"He's an unrestricted free agent so clubs are willing to put up more cash given he can just walk to them, with the Giants not having the option to match.
"Port Adelaide had interest in him in 2020 and again are among the clubs interested this time around, and there are a few."
GWS have offered Perryman a long-term deal to stay at the club.
