GWS have confirmed to midfielder Josh Kelly they can't offer him anywhere near the same amount of money that North Melbourne have put in front of him.
However, if Kelly rejects North Melbourne's mega nine-year offer for $9 million, the Giants could up their current deal to reward the 22-year-old.
According to the Herald Sun, the Giants have told Kelly to take his time and think about the offer, in the hope the 63-gamer choses the lure of a success over money.
Kelly has had an offer from GWS on the table for a while now, with the two-year deal believed to be worth around $1.2 million.
While the Giants do have the ability to offer Kelly a longer deal, they've told him it would be impossible to offer a deal in the realm of the years and cash North Melbourne have suggested.
Several re-signings over recent months - culminating in the new deal given to gun midfielder Dylan Shiel - and the acquisition of former Tiger Brett Deledio are likely the major reasons as to why the Giants can't match the Roos' offer.
Shiel hopes his close friend will re-sign with the club and resist the lure of the money, but admits Kelly's decision is one that the AFL hasn't seen before.
“Josh’s decision is in a league of its own,” he said.
“I’m really close to him and have a lot to do with him outside the footy club.
“I know Josh wants to remain at this footy club and I hope he stays and continues to buy into the footy club.
“He has to consider his life as well and life after footy. It’s an enormous amount of money he has been offered and puts him in a really difficult situation.”
