Giants coach speaks out on off-contract star as rival Victorian clubs circle

Zac Williams is set to be one of the most-wanted names in the upcoming off-season with Carlton, North Melbourne, Essendon and St Kilda all reportedly chasing his signature.

The out-of-contract speedster is yet to sign with GWS past 2021, with many believing his asking price of $700,000 could be enough to suggest a move to a Victorian club.

Williams is a restricted free agent in 2020, meaning the Giants can match any contract offer made by a rival club.

While news broke last week on Williams and potential suitors, Giants coach Leon Cameron looked to squash any of the belief.

“I think our club is in a good position, I mean we’re having some really good dialogue with Zac,” Cameron told SEN’s Whateley.

“We’ve been in these positions most years since I have been the coach. There’s always one or two or three players that are out of contract and are heavily targeted by clubs all over Australia.

“That’s where it has been for our footy club and we know that, but we’ve done a wonderful job in securing the players that we really want to keep.

“There’s no different with Zac, he’s a rookie from eight years ago when Kevin Sheedy spotted him and brought him into our footy club.

“We have loved every minute since he has arrived and he’s a much valued player and we are confident he is going to be a Giant for life.

“We understand there is going to be some speculation until that is done, but it’s nothing new that we sort of deal with every year.”

The Giants are set to do it tough in the upcoming free agency window, with stars Jeremy Cameron and Harry Perryman also out-of-contract at the end of the season.

While a number of key names are set to ask for a price rise, their coach believes Williams will find a spot in Western Sydney despite rivals interest.

“Absolutely not. He loves the footy club and he is really popular, no doubt there’s going to be clubs that are going to be looking at him and if I was at another club I would be doing the same thing, he’s an outstanding player, especially with is flexibility off half-back and through the midfield,” he said.

“He’s an infectious sort of person, those sort of guys are like gold and we’ll be doing everything in our power to keep him at our footy club and I’m confident that is going to happen.”