$17m 'biggest deal in AFL history' rejected as gun's huge loyalty ...

A young superstar has reportedly refused what would’ve been the biggest contract in AFL history, and in turn cemented his long-term loyalty with his current club.

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Meanwhile, the club he rejected will have to fight off offers of up to 10 years for one of their brightest young stars.

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YOUNG GUN REJECTS ‘BIGGEST DEAL IN AFL HISTORY’

Finn Callaghan has reportedly rejected a verbal offer that would’ve made the young Giant the owner of the AFL’s biggest ever contract, instead turning around and pledging his long-term commitment to GWS.

St Kilda offered the 21-year-old a deal running “at least 10 years” and “more than $17 million” according to Nine’s Tom Morris.

It was part of the Saints’ plan to target top talent from bayside Melbourne while using their hefty salary cap space to bolster a list already featuring numerous talented youngsters.

The contract would’ve been both the equal-longest and richest in AFL history with the highest annual salary - though by the time it ended, the projected $1.7 million a year would’ve likely been surpassed due to a rising cap.

Callaghan instead put pen to paper on a four-year extension at the Giants — and according to Morris, it will run at around $1 million a season.

That takes his GWS commitment to the end of the 2029 season, when he is slated to hit free agency, and where he could sign a more lucrative short-term deal if all goes to plan.

“Finn has shown over his first three seasons that he’s an immense young talent in this competition and we are rapt to sign him to a new four-year deal,” Giants football boss Jason McCartney said in a club statement on Monday.

“A player of Finn’s talent and age meant there was always going to be huge immense interest from other clubs and it’s fantastic 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.”

Callaghan last season averaged 23 disposals, 3.8 inside 50s, 3.6 tackles, and 3.4 clearances per game playing both inside and outside midfield.

The Saints are desperate to accelerate their rebuild by luring a big fish, with Zach Merrett confirming a huge offer was discussed for him to leave Essendon. It was believed to be well over $1 million a season - if not quite at the level of the Callaghan bid - and played out similarly to the Callaghan talks with no formal offers but discussions held between the two parties.

The Saints are also chasing the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Tom De Koning and Luke Davies-Uniacke.

10-YEAR OFFERS TIPPED FOR SAINT

St Kilda also has to worry about keeping its own young guns, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera tipped to be offered long-term deals of up to 10 years to leave.

The halfback is out of contract heading into 2025, though not a free agent, having more than lived up to the billing of Pick 11 in the 2021 draft.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide, as they have repeatedly attempted (and often succeeded) with South Australian players, will heavily target the 21-year-old according to AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.

Given the Saints’ cap space they will be able to match offers expected to reach close to $1 million a year, lasting at least six seasons.

Wanganeen-Milera is the nephew of Power great Gavin Wanganeen, and he is close with the likes of Jase Burgoyne and Jason Horne-Francis.

However Port Adelaide also needs to keep its own exciting halfback in Miles Bergman, with Victorian clubs believed to be confident in luring the 23-year-old home.