A 10-year offer reportedly worth north of $17 million is said to have been "verbally presented" to GWS midfielder Finn Callaghan by St Kilda, who has knocked back a "mammoth" offer to re-sign with the Giants on a four-year deal
Callaghan, who is a product of the Sandringham Dragons, is yet to confirm his future beyond the 2025 season and has been expected to earn interest from clubs in Victoria.
The Saints have previously stated their desire to lure local talent to Moorabbin under Ross Lyon as the club looks to build a list ready to compete in the coming seasons, with Callaghan a suitable and upside-heavy target.
Any move for the onballer has fallen short however, with GWS confirming a new deal for their former top five pick.
โFinn has shown over his first three seasons that he's an immense young talent in this competition and we are rapt to sign him to a new four-year deal,โ Giants football boss Jason McCartney said in a club announcement.
โA player of Finn's talent and age meant there was always going to be huge interest from other clubs and it's fantastic that he's re-committed to the club as we see him as a huge piece of our future.
โFinn can see the bright future of the club under Adam Kingsley and wants to be part of the success that we strongly believe is on the horizon.
โHe showed last year in just his third year that he can have a significant impact on games despite his young age and we are extremely excited about the player he can become for us this season and beyond.
โThe other fantastic thing with Finn is that not only is he clearly an exceptionally talented footballer, but he is one of the nicest young men you will ever meet. A player's character is a really important factor to us as a footy club and having people like Finn Callaghan only further enhances the fantastic environment at the GIANTS.โ
According to 9 News' Tom Morris, the Saints were ready to make Callaghan the highest-paid player in the game with a deal that would've seen him locked to the red, white and black for the next decade.
"St Kilda verbally presented a mammoth offer for Finn Callaghan, which was at least 10 years and across the life of the deal (worth) more than $17 million," Morris reported on Sunday night.
"St Kilda's proposal would've made Callaghan, who is just 21, the highest-paid footballer in the league. Had he accepted it, it would've been the largest contract in AFL history.
"Callaghan, who was aware of the monster offer, is remaining loyal to GWS - the club that drafted him with Pick 3 in 2021."
Callaghan has played 50 games for GWS in his three seasons with the club, 45 of which have come in the past two years after an injury-hit debut campaign.
The 21-year-old looks set to take on a larger role in Adam Kingsley's side this season after the exits of James Peatling and Harry Perryman, opening up more opportunities in midfield.
The Giants currently have Xavier O'Halloran, Leek Aleer, Toby Bedford and Callum Brown among those unsigned beyond the coming season.
