The GWS Giants tumbled unceremoniously out of the finals, with their attention now shifting to list management in preparation for another flag assault in 2025.
A trio of Giants defenders are firmly in the eyes of rival clubs, while a breakout onballer has also received overtures from rival clubs.
Foxfooty.com.au analyses GWS’ crop of out-of-contract players ahead of the off-season.
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HARRY PERRYMAN — Unrestricted Free Agent
Perryman remains a hot commodity as this year’s player movement period beckons. The 25-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, with most tipping the Collingullie product to land at Alberton on a big-money deal in October. Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph believes the Power have tabled Perryman a six-year deal worth as much as $850,000 per season — with GWS and Hawthorn’s offers not said to be as fruitful. The 187-centimetre defender was a first-round pick in 2016 and is eligible for unrestricted free agency after serving his eighth season in 2024, thus he can walk to the club of his choice if he decides to stamp his Giants exit papers. Perryman has played at least 21 games in consecutive seasons, demonstrating his durability along with his defensive accountability and overall reliability.
Verdict: Going.
ISAAC CUMMING — Unrestricted Free Agent
The 26-year-old rebounding defender is in a similar boat to Perryman, and not just because of the area of ground in which they play. Cumming was a first-round choice in the 2016 draft, like Perryman, who was taken six slots before him — and he is also assessing his options as an unrestricted free agent. The 81-gamer is understood to have family links to Adelaide, with the Crows and Power interested in signing the smooth-mover to a long-term deal. Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark is ‘hearing Crows’ as Cumming’s destination this off-season.
Verdict: Going.
JAMES PEATLING — Non-Free Agent
The 24-year-old made an unassuming start to the 2024 campaign before imposing himself on Kingsley’s side as the season progressed, playing the last 10 games between Round 17 and last Saturday’s semi-final loss. Despite drawing rival interest from the likes of the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, Peatling recently told SEN that extension negotiations with GWS were “trending in the right direction”. While we can’t take every public comment made by a player as gospel, things seem to be heading in the right direction. The 2021 mid-season draftee had a breakout season this year, averaging 13.8 disposals, 5.1 tackles, 3.4 clearances (all career-highs), showcasing an attractive blend of class and physicality at the contest.
Verdict: Staying.
NICK HAYNES — Unrestricted Free Agent
An All-Australian in 2020 and an inaugural Giant, Haynes has seen his senior opportunities at GWS diminish and is widely tipped to cement a move to Carlton as a free agent this off-season. Haynes played just eight senior games this season — the equal-lowest tally of his career with his 2012 and 2014 campaigns. He played nine VFL games this year for averages of 31.4 disposals and 11.0 marks but generally couldn’t get a look-in with Adam Kingsley’s selection committee.
Verdict: Going.
LACHLAN KEEFFE — Unrestricted Free Agent
The 34-year-old played a selfless role for GWS during its short-lived finals run. Improbably, the 116-gamer locked down a spot in Kingsley’s flag-contending side as a negating forward, playing every game from Round 22 to the semi-final after going untried at senior level to that point in the year. Unless he wants to retire — which would be a surprise given his competitiveness at the back end — he seems likely to be offered another deal.
Verdict: Staying.
CONOR STONE — Non-Free Agent
The 22-year-old has managed 13 senior games in four seasons since being chosen by the Giants with the 15th pick in 2020. The Oakleigh Chargers product reportedly has a two-year offer on the table, according to AFL Media journalist Josh Gabelich in July. That deal remains unsigned, however, leaving scope for speculation that the emerging utility may be weighing up potential opportunities elsewhere. But for a player who has seen very limited senior action since entering the league, it would be surprising if he didn’t agree to a multi-year arrangement with the Giants. And, if one or both of Perryman and Cumming depart in October, the door to opportunity opens across that half-backline.
Verdict: Staying.
THE OTHERS
Elsewhere, foundation Giant Adam Kennedy, oft-injured ruckman Braydon Preuss, eight-game onballer Cooper Hamilton and 2021 Academy graduate Josh Fahey all remain without contracts for the 2025 season. With exit meetings forthcoming, they face nervous waits. Kennedy and Preuss — who both failed to get on the park this year — seem the biggest outsiders in terms of earning new deals. Hamilton seems in limbo, while Fahey appears the most likely of this crop to have their stays extended, having shown flashes at reserves level.
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