GWS coach Adam Kingsley is confident the club will retain the talents of rising star Finn Callaghan, who is out of contract at the end of 2025.

Callaghan has been tipped to have a breakthrough year and begin to excel at the top flight after two consistent years of mixing between the middle and the wings.

After the departures of a key trio - James Peatling, Isaac Cumming, and Nick Haynes - whether Callaghan stays at Sydney Olympic Park is an intriguing watch. GWS are prone to talent leaving the club due to their location, with most players drafted or traded from interstate.

Callaghan, drafted at Pick 3 from Victoria, may be poached by a rival Melbourne-based side, with St Kilda looming a possibility given their war chest available to splurge on talent.

However, Kingsley remains adamant that a "fun" and successful culture at GWS will be enough to retain Callaghan, as he and the list management team attempt to juggle the contracts of a multitude of stars.

2025 AFL Season Guide

DOWNLOAD NOW FOR FREE!

The Giants have only missed the finals once since Callaghan's arrival and are predicted to be premiership contenders again in 2025.

Finn Callaghan

"The reality is, he'll make a decision based on what's best for him and for his family. That will either be with us or it won't be," Kingsley said toย AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge.

"What we'll do is afford him as many opportunities as the salary cap allows, we'll pay him as well as we can for as long as we can in a way that fits within our strategy and with everyone else.

"The problem is, if you overpay on certain players, it means a compromise on keeping the next and keeping the next and keeping the next.

If we were to overpay all three of those players who left โ€“ and I'll say overpay, but it's just paying them more โ€“ does it mean we don't keep Finn Callaghan? Or don't keep Sam Taylor? Or Brent Daniels? Or any of the others that are upcoming?

"It's a big jigsaw.

"Ultimately, back to Finn, he'll make a decision based on what's best for him and his family. We'll try and provide an environment that's fun to be around and a team that wins, so he's constantly playing in finals.

"Other than that, what else do you want as a player?"

Kingsley understands the pull that homesickness can be tough to overcome and is something out of the club's control.

Therefore, Kingsley won't change any approach in how he negotiates his star players' deals.

Adam Kingsley

"Players leave. It's about why they leave and understanding why they leave," Kingsley said.

"It's not a reflection of the culture or the work that the people up here do. It certainly wasn't before I got here, and it hasn't been since.

"It's just the reality of being in a Sydney team. Everyone goes through it. It's just how it is."

GWS aren't the only New South Wales side faced with a star tempted by a move home, with rival Swan Chad Warner yet to re-sign and facing rumours of a trade to WA after purchasing a home central to both Fremantle and West Coast's training facilities.

Callaghan will still suit up in orange and charcoal this season at the very least, with the Giants' first clash coming against Collingwood on Sunday, March 9 in Opening Round.