GREATER Western Sydney's list management team would have expected to start contract negotiations with a Coleman Medal leader this year ... but they probably wouldn't have expected Harry Perryman to be that player.
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Perryman briefly led the competition with his nine goals in 2020, a massive surprise considering he had kicked just four career goals in his 36 games before that.
With Jeremy Cameron, Zac Williams and Jeremy Finlayson leading the way as the big-name Giants coming out of contract, the under-the-radar Perryman might be the one that has increased his value on the open market the most.
"I definitely love it up here. We've got great weather up here and a good bunch of boys, so I'm definitely keen to stay," Perryman told AFL.com.au.
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Other clubs started showing interest in Perryman following his solid 2019 finals series. His goalkicking nous has only elevated his stocks. But COVID-19 has put a halt to all contract signings so discussions between the Giants and Perryman's management have paused.
After strong outings against the Hawks, Cameron and Finlayson have finally drawn level with Perryman on the goalkicking leaderboard, but the 21-year-old has already started firing off the jokes.
"There's been plenty of banter around the changerooms," Perryman said.
"I was asking a few of the boys what their total is now, Finlayson and Himmelberg."
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From the outside it's easy to think that Perryman's results have come from a move to the forward line, but he's barely spent any time there.
"I've been mainly playing wing and sneaking down forward," he said.
Perryman bagged four goals against the Cats in round one, two each against the Roos and the Dogs and this ripper against Collingwood.
The increased scoring opportunities stem from the work he's put in with Giants assistant coach Lenny Hayes over the pre-season.
"I've been trying to work on my fitness that last few years. When I first got to the club I couldn't really run that well," Perryman said
"I've been working pretty closely with Lenny Hayes.
"I always talk to him about the game and he's been a big help, I reckon."
With two of the best runners in the game in Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly by his side at training, Perryman has gone to the next level.
"You always try and hang off the good runners at the club. If you can try to test yourself against them, it's definitely going to help in the long run," Perryman said.
The Collingullie product moved to the backline against Hawthorn after injuries to Zac Williams and Sam Taylor forced coach Leon Cameron to shuffle the team around.
Perryman delivered with 28 disposals, but he's not certain whether he'll stay there for the crucial clash against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Specialist wingmen rarely get recognised in the All-Australian squad, but Perryman's averages of 19 disposals and 1.8 goals per game certainly deserve some recognition.
