Greater Western Sydney young gun Josh Kelly is reportedly the target of a multi-year, multi-million dollar recruiting raid by North Melbourne.
Several media outlets reported on Tuesday that the Roos have tabled a nine-year, $9 million deal in a bid to lure the sublimely talented Victorian midfielder home at the end of the AFL season.
Kelly, whose father Phil played 61 games for North between 1981 and 1985, was the second overall pick at the 2013 draft.
It is understood the Roos have significant interest in recruiting the 22-year-old who has played 62 games since he was drafted.
But both the length and value of the offer have been disputed.
The reported offer is of a similar nature to mega-deals signed by Lance Franklin, who was lured from Hawthorn to Sydney, and Tom Boyd, who became a premiership player for the Western Bulldogs after departing the Giants.
Speculation about North’s audacious bid surfaced ahead of the Giants’ 102-point belting of Gold Coast at the weekend.
“I heard there was a long-term offer on the table, and look, to be totally honest it’s not unexpected,” GWS coach Leon Cameron told Fox Footy.
“He’s a terrific player for us, he’s in our leadership group for that reason.
“His contract negotiations have been going on for a couple of months now. They’re really close and he’s really happy here.
“But there’s no doubt there’s going to be some speculation because there’s probably three or four or half a dozen clubs that would be interested in having a player like Josh Kelly.
“I’m really confident we can get that deal done and he’s here for the right reason.”
North Melbourne host the Giants in Hobart on Saturday.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
This is all Collingwood's fault. It's no wonder North is offering $1m per year for Josh Kelly and JJ is seeking $750k per year, when Daniel Wells has just been signed to $600k per year for three years by the Pies and spending half that time in rehab. That makes Kelly and JJ seem justified.
Gurudoright
Guest
Is this the start of the break-up of the Giants numerous draft pick policy. For years people have stated that after a few years the Giants draft picks will deliver. The question is now deliver for who?
Maggie
Guest
If this contract goes ahead, I hope the AFL is consistent and only approves it subject to the stipulation that the specific financial commitment for each year of the nine-year contract would count towards North's salary cap, even if Kelly were not to play out the full nine years with North. That's what was imposed on the Swans for Lance Franklin's contract. Not that consistency is an AFL habit. And by the way, Franklin was not 'lured from Hawthorn to Sydney'. The background is well known - Franklin approached the Sydney Swans as he wanted to move from Melbourne to live in Sydney and his preference was to play for the Swans not GWS.