GWS football manager Jason McCartney is adamant the club is keen to retain the services of Jackson Hately.
The 19-year-old midfielder has emerged as a trade target for the Adelaide Crows who are believed to have made recruiting him a priority.
The Central District product, who has played 12 games in his two seasons at AFL level, is out of contract this year but McCartney insists the Giants are determined to keep him.
“He’s a required player and he’s an outstanding young man,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“He’s just high quality.
“What we love about Jackson is that he is so honest and reliable and he just works at his game. He’s the ultimate professional.”
Hately played seven games in his 2019 debut season and has managed only five this year but McCartney says that is down to the fact the Giants have had a full book of on-ballers to pick from in 2020.
“We absolutely love what he’s shown so far,” he added.
“Obviously players want opportunity as well and obviously the position Jackson plays at our footy club, this year we’ve had a much better run with player availability.
“We’ve had great success with our medical and high performance team, but with that the player availability has been really strong through the midfield. So the opportunities haven’t presented as regularly as they may have last year for Jackson but we certainly rate him and we would love to be able to retain him.
“We’ll keep working through with his manager. He’s a high quality young man and he’s got strong potential.”
Asked if Hately has made any indication as to what he would like to do, McCartney added: “No, no, just discussions through his manager.
“He’d just like to wait and play the season out and just see where it sits at the end of the season.
“He’s right around the mark and his attitude has been outstanding.”
Hately, who is an emergency for tonight’s clash with the Crows in Adelaide, has not played for the Giants since Round 7.
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