MOST attention surrounds Josh Kelly's future with Greater Western Sydney, but clubs continue to circle fellow young Giant Jacob Hopper as the midfielder delays a call on his own contract situation.
Hopper's original two-year contract expires with the Giants at the end of this season, and he is unlikely to make a decision on his next move until then. He hasn't played since round seven since injuring his finger and subsequently his ankle at training.
AFL.com.au understands Hopper, a graduate of the club's academy program, has a preference at this stage to remain with the Giants, but that rivals continue to eye the ball-winner who made a stunning debut last season when he gathered 32 disposals in round eight against Gold Coast.
Geelong and Collingwood have been linked to Hopper, but non-Victorian clubs Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions are also among the teams believed to be monitoring his decision.
Hopper joined the club with its first pick (No.7 overall) at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, and was followed by Matthew Kennedy (No.13) and Harrison Himmelberg (No.16) as fellow first-round academy picks.
All three remain unsigned for next year, with contract discussions recently opening with Himmelberg for a new deal but no movement with Kennedy, who has played 11 senior games this season and averaged 18 disposals.
Hopper grew up in Leeton, which fell in the Giants' New South Wales academy region, but moved to Ballarat as a teenager to study at St Patrick's College and played with the Rebels in the TAC Cup.
The Giants' unsigned trio are among a small group of first-round picks from the 2015 draft who are yet to commit beyond this season, alongside Essendon's Darcy Parish, Richmond's Daniel Rioli and Adelaide defender Tom Doedee.
Greater Western Sydney recently locked away its first three picks from last year's draft – Will Setterfield, Tim Taranto and Harry Perryman – to two-year contract extensions which tie them to the club until the end of 2020.