All Australian midfielder Josh Kelly has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract as the GIANTS get set to take on Richmond in a preliminary final.
Kelly - who has emerged as one of the elite midfielders of the competition this season playing 23 of a possible 24 games in 2017 - has extended his contract until at least the end of 2019.
“I’m really excited to remain a GIANT,” Kelly said.
“This club has been my home for four years and I’m thrilled this will continue.
“It’s been a big year but the time was right now to make a decision ahead of what is no doubt going to be a really big game.
“I love this club and being part of building what we’re working to create here.”
Kelly joined the GIANTS at pick number two in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft and has played 83 games since arriving at the club.
The 22-year-old received his first All Australian honours this year when he was named on the wing in the 2017 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.
Joining the GIANTS’ leadership group ahead of the 2017 season, Kelly has elevated himself to elite status after an outstanding 2017 campaign.
Averaging a touch under 30 possessions game, the elite runner has proved just as damaging on the inside the contest, averaging more than 11 contested possessions and six tackles a game.
“We’re thrilled Josh has re-signed with the club,” said GIANTS General Manager of Football Wayne Campbell.
“We know it was a big decision for him and one he didn’t take lightly and it’s a huge endorsement for our football club that this is where he wants to be.
“Josh is highly valued member of the playing group both on and off the field and that’s why we’re so excited by his re-signing.
“He’s already a leader of our club and we’re really looking forward to his next few seasons.”
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews welcomed the news.
“We have a very strong culture at the GIANTS and we have demonstrated that with our track record in extending players. Josh’s re-signing is the latest in a long line of players to recommit to the club since inception,” Mr Matthews said.
“It is important for our fans and partners to know that we have great confidence in the list strategy we have in place and that securing players like Josh secures the future of the GIANTS.”
The GIANTS have now secured 24 players through until the end of 2019 and beyond including Callan Ward and Tom Scully (2021), Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton and Lachie Whitfield (2020) as well as Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio (2019).
The GIANTS take on the Tigers in a preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday at 4:45pm.
