All-Australian defender Sam Taylor has looked to reassure GWS fans that his future remains in Sydney's west, while the key defender is anticipated to be of great interest to rival clubs over the next 12 months.
Taylor will be eligible for free agency in 2025, with the contract he penned three years ago still having more than a year to run.
While a call on his future isn't needed until the end of next season, securing Taylor's services will be high on the club's retention list in 2024.
Reports have suggested talks over a new long-term deal have begun, with the 'pre-agent' likely to garner high levels of external interest if he remains unsigned next year.
West Coast are said to have already flagged 'significant interest' in the Western Australian, who would likely fetch lucrative offers from rivals from his home state and elsewhere.
For Taylor, the 25-year-old is keen to sign on with the Giants and is loving his time in New South Wales.
"Preferably I'd like to get it done," Taylor toldย AFL.com.au of a contract extension.
"But I let that go to my manager and hopefully he can sort something out. But if not then I'll just keep playing footy and doing what I love and hopefully something works out.
"Definitely (I see myself at GWS long-term). I love the club and I want to win games.
"I'm surrounded by great people and I don't think there's any better place to be so hopefully we can get something done but I'll leave that to my manager."
The Bullsbrook native has played 99 games for the Giants, earning All-Australian and best and fairest honours in 2022 after emerging as one of the competition's best key defenders.
Taylor headlines a star-studded list of 2025-eligible free agents, with Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, West Coast spearhead Oscar Allen, North Melbourne ace Luke Davies-Uniacke and Carlton defender Jacob Weitering also having their current contracts end next year.
The Giants' Finn Callaghan, Lachie Ash, and Brent Daniels, among others, will reachย the end of their deals in 2025.
The club does have some work to do to retain 2024 free agent Harry Perryman, who is said to be in the sights of both South Australian clubs and the Sydney Swans this season.
Perryman is a dozen GWS players still yet to settle their futures beyond this year, with Isaac Cumming, Callan Ward, Nick Haynes and former first-round draft selection pairing Ryan Angwin and Conor Stone also unsigned.
