Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Joanna Guelas

Premiership window wide open for Giants: Taylor

All-Australian defender Sam Taylor (c) has signed with the Giants for another seven years. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Sam Taylor believes GWS has a five-year window to win a premiership and has committed for another seven years to the rising AFL club.

Turning his back on exploring free agency at the end of next season, the 25-year-old defender has chosen to devote almost a decade of his life to a club that has yet to taste grand-final success.

Confident their premiership window is wide open after a 7-4 start to the season, Taylor will remain with the Giants until at least the end of 2032.

"That was the main reason why I wanted to be at the club, to win a flag. That's the ultimate goal," Taylor said on Tuesday.

"We have a window, I reckon the next five years, of reaching that goal.

"The players we have coming through are just very talented and skilful. We have a lot of trust we can achieve that.

"By the time seven years is up, I'll be 33. I'll most likely be done."

Near unconquerable in the air, Taylor has been instrumental in the Giants' impressive form this season boasting an average of almost five intercept marks and nine intercept possessions a game.

Raised in Perth before being drafted in 2017, the All-Australian defender says the option for a homecoming was there but it was not something he ever entertained.

"As much as a few mates back home wanted me to ... this is where I saw myself," he said.

"My contract was done next year so I had plenty of time but I was always going to stay at the Giants.

"Long-term contracts are part of it and when it came up I was like, 'yep, sounds good'.

"I didn't really want to be anywhere else. I didn't really want to do a short-term contract."

After a bye last round, seventh-placed GWS begin their finals charge with a trip to Tasmania to take on in-form Hawthorn.

Callum Brown will be available for selection after the gun forward served his three-match ban for a high bump in what will be a massive boost for a side carrying 14 injured players.

Giants coach Adam Kingsley won't be looking to replicate the magic of their late surge last season, taking confidence in the strength of their current form.

"Last year was last year. If we continually focus on that, then we'll miss the road ahead," Kingsley said.

"We're firmly looking ahead. We've got a really strong back half of the season draw in terms of we play some challenging teams, with that presents good opportunity to climb the ladder and position ourselves as close as we can to the top.

"That's how we view it and that starts this week with Hawthorn."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.