West Coast know better than any side why Greater Western Sydney's Josh Kelly is one of the AFL's most in-demand players.
Kelly is expected to re-sign with GWS but until that happens his future will be a topic of great speculation.
The 22-year-old's value has skyrocketed this season, with suitors lining up to make Godfather offers amid an impressive campaign that was rewarded with his maiden All-Australian selection.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson will put a lot of work into quelling the midfielder's influence in Saturday's semi-final at Spotless Stadium.
Kelly finished with a club-record 43 disposals during the Giants' win over West Coast in round 22 at the same venue.
It is one of many performances that left Jacob Hopper, a teammate and close friend, in awe.
"He's had a super year. Hats off to him, to play that well with all of the pressure he's been under," GWS young gun Jacob Hopper told AAP.
"He's risen to the occasion.
"He's obviously got a decision to make but he's a smart fella. He'll make it in time, when he feels like it's the right time."
Kelly's teammates have been taking the mickey out of the situation, regularly paying for coffees, carrying his bag and quipping that "every little bit helps".
"It's good we've been able to joke about it," Hopper said.
"When you don't joke about it, it's probably more of a worry as to what is he doing.
"The good thing about being in Sydney is it's easy to ignore that external stuff and just focus on footy."
Hopper knows the process Kelly is going through well.
The GWS academy product was strongly linked to Geelong and Carlton but signed a new contract with the Giants on the eve of finals.
"It was probably a weight off my shoulders that I didn't really realise I had," Hopper said.
"Once I made the decision I really wanted to stay at this footy club, it was a case of 'why wait, why not get it done before finals'."
Hopper is keen to finish a "frustrating" year on a high.
The midfielder suffered a badly broken finger amid the Giants' mid-year injury crisis but has played the past five games, improving with every hit-out.
"The finger was a pretty nasty one. I had a fair bit of metal put in there and then I rolled the ankle," Hopper said.
Share
