GWS Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel says out-of-contract teammate Josh Kelly will not let confusion surround his future impact his form on Saturday night.
The Giants are in danger of tumbling out of the finals in straight sets if they lose to West Coast in a semi-final and a strong game from Kelly is critical if the club is to reach its second-straight preliminary final.
On Wednesday night Gerard Whateley reported that the classy left-footer had put pen to paper on a two-year extension, but coach Leon Cameron labelled the suggestions premature and there is still no announcement from the club.
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Shiel, who has been the subject of media speculation surrounding his own future in the past, is backing Kelly to lift when it matters despite the external hype.
“Josh, as everyone knows, has been in fantastic form and has handled the pressure really well,” Shiel told reporters following GWS’ final training run for the week on Friday morning.
“If you ask him right now, he couldn’t care about that sort of stuff. He’s ready for tomorrow night like we all are.
“I am pretty confident that he will sign on and when or if that happens I am sure the club will make the announcement at the appropriate time.”
On Thursday GWS coach Leon Cameron said his in-demand midfielder was getting close to a new deal.
“Look it’s obviously nearly done,” Cameron said on Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight.
“I think it was obviously over-reported last night.
“But we’re getting closer and closer every day, there’s no doubt that the negotiations have obviously started seven or eight months ago.
“Our main focus is this weekend’s game against the Eagles and then we’ll look to see what happens next week.”
All 22 selected Giants aside from Brett Deledio trained on Friday, with the ex-Richmond veteran limited to ball-collecting duties alongside Ryan Griffin and Jeremy Cameron.
Shiel said it was normal for veterans to rest during the week at this time of the season.
“Those blokes north of 30 they don’t like to train too much,” he laughed.
“Shane (Mumford), Stevie and these guys get to run their own show sometimes. Brett is in really good condition.”
Deledio managed just 13 disposals in last week’s loss to Adelaide and was highlighted for his lack of defensive running On The Couch.
But Shiel, who presented the veteran with his GWS jumper when he made his club debut recently, is backing Deledio to return to form.
“Brett is the ultimate professional and has definitely played a lot of footy,” he said.
“Every player — no matter how good they are — goes through games and form slumps and Brett was not the only one who was down on his form last week. There were plenty of others, including myself. We felt we definitely deserved the second chance.”
GWS trained for roughly 45 minutes on Friday. In what was a light session, they did 10 minutes of full-ground ball movement before the midfielders underwent some centre bounce training.
Coach Leon Cameron and Tim Taranto were seen in deep discussion for five minutes towards the end of the session ahead of what will be the teenager’s first senior game since Round 14.
Spirits remained high throughout the morning and when Toby Greene’s wayward shot at goal sailed out of bounds on the full into a nearby corporate function, predictably it was Heath Shaw who was first to let him know.
“Very aggressive Toby,” the 2010 premiership Pie shouted to Greene while several other teammates laughed.
Steve Johnson trained fully, while Cameron — who is out for the rest of the season with a torn hamstring — continued his rehab out the back.
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