Statistics suggest Josh Kelly's AFL stocks are soaring and the lofty price tag on the Greater Western Sydney star represents good value.
The 22-year-old midfielder's future has been the subject of huge speculation since a reported nine-year $9 million offer for his services from North Melbourne earlier in the season.
The torrent of comment is unlikely to subside after a press conference on Wednesday offered no clues as to when he would make a decision about his future.
But the constant scrutiny hasn't affected Kelly, whose form has reached career-high levels, earning him the AFL Players' Association MVP of the Month award for May.
Kelly averaged 31 touches, six clearances and almost eight tackles a game across the Giants' four matches last month, as they climbed to second despite a horrific injury toll.
With the prolific Stephen Coniglio sidelined for much of the season, Kelly has thrived on extra minutes in the Giants' midfield engine room, something he had been striving for.
He revealed Callan Ward and Dylan Shiel had been mentoring him over the past month.
"I've had a move into the midfield which is something I've been building towards in the past couple of years," Kelly said.
"I've had to probably shoulder a bit of extra responsibility with a few of the injuries we've had, so it has been pleasing, but I still feel like I can build on it and keep improving."
The stats show Kelly's renowned silky skills and acclaimed ball use have been supplemented by additional ball-winning grunt.
He has enjoyed a significant spike in tackles, clearances and contested possessions.
"I think that's been one of my big improvements this year, being able to not have to rely on your Wardys or Dylan Shiel to feed the ball out constantly," Kelly said.
"Something I've always prided myself on coming through the juniors and building into AFL is being able to win my own ball.
"I've no doubt I've still got a lot of work to do in that area, but I feel like it's come a long way this year."
Kelly has clearly relished being promoted to the club's leadership group this season.
'It's been really enjoyable for me, it's probably something that I've always aimed towards, I wanted to get to that stage," he said.
"It's probably given me an extra sense of confidence around the club and on game day, just knowing that my peers have voted me into that role so it is humbling and it's been really good for my development as well."
THE STATS THAT SHOW HOW JOSH KELLY HAS GONE TO ANOTHER LEVEL THIS YEAR:
*Disposals: 2014-16 20.0 per game, 2017 28.5.
*Tackles: 2014-16 3.6 per game, 2017 6.3.
*Clearances: 2014-2016 1.95 per game, 2017 4.9.
Share
