One of the biggest bombshells has landed ahead of this year’s AFL trade and free agency period, with Greater Western Sydney star Zac Williams confirming he will leave the club.
The restricted free agent has played 113 games for the Giants since coming through their Academy system and being selected in the 2013 rookie draft. His switch from half-back flanker to the midfield was crucial in the club’s run to the 2019 grand final.
With the Giants always set for a contract crunch at the end of this season, he was viewed as priority no.2 behind reigning Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron. He did have a multi-year offer at one point, but elected to put talks off until the end of the season.
As recently as last week it was thought he was a fifty-fifty chance of staying on.
Stay up to date with all of the latest AFL trade and free agency rumours here
Giants football boss Jason McCartney said in a club statement he was “disappointed” to hear of Williams’ decision.
“We understand that free agency is part of the current football landscape and that the players have the right to go down this path,” he said.
Williams, 26, is thought to be firmly in Carlton’s sights, although Essendon, North Melbourne and St Kilda are also thought to be in the running.
As a restricted free agent, GWS do have the right to match an offer made by a rival club, but it’s unlikely they’ll have the salary cap space to do so.
He joins Aidan Corr (who is almost certain to join North Melbourne) and retiring duo Sam Jacobs and Tommy Sheridan in leaving the Giants this season. Cameron and Sam Reid are GWS’ other restricted free agents, while out-of-contract Harry Perryman is thought to be in demand.
Jake
Guest
Past is past I’m not sold on gws anymore They should be top 4 this year Blues will be a genuine top 8 chance now
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Adelaide will likely have 3 at or around 20 (currently have 20. Atkins compo = 21 (probably). Crouch either #2 or # 20 (pushing other 2 back). Adelaide also has Pick 31 (ish - Bulldogs 2nd Round).
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Pick 20 perhaps?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It is more correct to suggest Carlton is GWS's seconds.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Crouch or Viney ars unlikely to want to go there. The Blues need to take who they can get.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
I’m sure all those players are not on the same annual pay packet
GJ
Guest
There's no problem with a players manager negotiating with another club/s. The player just cannot sign a contract until the trade period and the 2 clubs agree on compensation
Macca
Roar Rookie
I am hearing closer to $600k, front ended. Were the blues are they need to over pay to get quality players in and they have plenty of cap space to play with. Landing Williams and still having this years and next years first round picks to chase someone like Kelly, Merrett or Saad (all of who they have been linked to) is a great effort.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Jackson Hately will be too expensive if GWS expect Pick 9 for him. Perhaps throw in Caldwell at that price and Adelaide will toss in some steak knives (Riley Knights). Maybe one of Adelaide's 2nd Rounders for Hately alone?
Slane
Guest
He's a good player. But he'll be earning the same amount of money as the Best players. He'll be earning as much as Cripps, Fyfe, Bont, Dusty, Danger, Cameron, Neale, McGovern, Selwood, Pendlebury, Whitfield, Hawkins, etc. In other words, if the numbers being used are to be believed, Williams will be one of the top 20 earners in the competition. The other players earning similar amounts are basically perennial All-Australians and Brownlow/Coleman medalists. If he gets the Bluebaggers into the finals next year, he'll be worth every penny.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
He’ll play midfield and is just what Blues need. I think he’s a gun. GWS have a glut of fun midfielders - which is why they keep losing them. I’ve seen 3 reported amounts so I would take them all with a grain of salt. I’ll leave it to the clubs anyway as they have all the info and expertise so we would have no idea anyway
Slane
Guest
Tom Morris was reporting it was 850-900k for 5 seasons yesterday. What do you think it's closer to, Macca? Salary cap space is all relative anyway. It's gotta be spent on somebody
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I am sure Carlton will play him in the midfield. He has played midfield for GWS but due to their midfield depth they have played him off the half back. He played in the midfield against Collingwood in last years prelim. final and was one of the best players.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Big question is: Where is Jeremy Cameron going? Collingwood or North?
Macca
Roar Rookie
Not going to get $900k a season over the full 5 years.
Lee
Guest
I'm sure I ask this every year, but can someone tell me the rules about contacting a contracted player from another club? Surely if a player nominates a team this means they must have negotiated with them - I know it happens all the time, but is it allowed?
Slane
Guest
Has Williams managed to snag an All- Australian spot yet? I'm thinking it would have to have been on the half-back line because Zac wouldn't be in the top 30 midfielders in the comp. He'd probably have still been behind Houli, Hurn, Whitfield, Docherty, Laird and maybe Saad for the half back spots, too. Obviously salary cap money has to be spent, regardless of who it goes too, but you'd definitely be expecting an All-Australian guernsey in the near future for any player earning 900k a season.
Stix
Guest
Carlton have plenty of money to spend under the cap as several players contracts were front loaded the last couple of years not just J.Martin. Kreuzer and Simpson out, Murphy and Betts on reduced salary next near too. Can never have enough speed. Carlton are one onballer and a goal sneak short still (currently using E.Betts/Z.Fisher). Walsh is playing wing and onball, will play more onball as his body builds up. Crouch is overrated bigtime and a waste of money. Viney and Brayshaw will stay at Melbourne barring a team demanding 1 in a trade for a key forward Melbourne wanted.
Russ
Roar Rookie
He is a good player, but wouldnt that money be better money spent on a Crouch or a Viney to give you another inside mid to take the pressure off Cripps.
Jack
Guest
Robbo is not dissimilar to Cornes. Williams is a great get . We probably have room for one more experienced player