GWS star Connor Idun’s savage swipe at St Kilda after reported $17million megadeal for Finn Callaghan is rejected.

Young gun Finn Callaghan was hot property on the open market
St Kilda went hard at the rising star, but he stayed loyal to the Giants
Teammate had a swipe at both Saints and Callaghan

GWS has fended off a massive money raid from St Kilda to maintain one of its brightest performers, with one Giants player using the opportunity to lob a sly dig at the Saints in the process. Finn Callaghan, a rising AFL star, has extended his contract with flag-chasing Greater Western Sydney for another four years. The highly regarded midfielder will remain with the Giants until at least the end of the 2029 season, having turned down offers to return to his Victorian home. Off-contract at the conclusion of the season, the 21-year-old reportedly turned down a massive $17 million, 10-year deal from St Kilda to stay in New South Wales.

GWS defender Connor Idun made the announcement that Callaghan was staying at the club, and couldn’t resist taking a cheeky job at his pay packet in the process.

‘Very pleased to announce our boy Finn Callaghan for another four [years],’ he said.

Rising GWS star Finn Callaghan, pictured in a pre-season run against the Sydney Swans, turned down a huge offer from St Kilda to remain loyal to the Giants

Teammate Connor Idun had a cheeky dig at St Kilda and Callaghan when announcing his re-signing with the club

When announcing his re-signing with St Kilda, teammate Connor Idun made a subtle dig at Callaghan and the club. ‘Congratulations, mate; it’s a tremendous sign of faith in the club. This demonstrates what we’re trying to accomplish here: keep the young core together. Yeah, like I said, stoked, and enjoy the money, man.’ The deal was also a relief for GWS fans, who were worried about losing the young star to the rich St Kilda offer.

I’m not going to lie; losing Finn would have broken me. One thing I enjoy about the AFL and its draft system is seeing your top picks blossom and develop into guns. “Thanks for your loyalty, Finny,” one poster wrote. GWS football manager Jason McCartney also lauded the youngster for turning down interest from other clubs. ‘Finn has demonstrated in his first three seasons that he is an incredible young talent in this league, and we are delighted to sign him to a new four-year contract,’ he said in a club statement. ‘A player of Finn’s talent and age means there was always going to be enormous interest from other teams, and it’s terrific that he’s re-committed to the club as we see him as a huge piece of our future.

‘Finn can see the bright future of the club under Adam Kingsley and wants to be part of the success that we strongly believe is on the horizon.’

Despite missing out of Callaghan, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon is still determined to turn the Saints into an AFL force

Despite missing out on Callaghan, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon remains keen to make the Saints into an AFL force. Despite missing out on Callaghan, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon remains determined to build the club into a Victorian powerhouse. ‘As one premiership coach told me, once you let your contracted players walk out the door, you’re hanging your shingle out front and inviting them to walk all over us, too,’ he said. ‘We are hanging no shingle out here (in St Kilda).’ Callaghan has been a key member of the Giants’ engine room with Tom Green, averaging 23 disposals, 3.6 tackles, and 3.4 clearances a game last year – his third season in the AFL.

He is the latest in a long line of GWS stars – including Jesse Hogan, Brent Daniels, Aaron Cadman and Sam Taylor – to sign contract extensions.

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GWS star Connor Idun’s savage swipe at St Kilda after reported $17million megadeal for Finn Callaghan is rejected

GWS star Connor Idun’s savage swipe at St Kilda after reported $17million megadeal for Finn Callaghan is rejected.

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