GWS star Josh Kelly 'considered' big money deals from Vic clubs

Now that the speculation surrounding GWS Giants star Josh Kelly’s future has died down, the gun midfielder admits big money offers from Victorian clubs had been hard to turn down.

Kelly, 24, re-signed with the Giants earlier this season, ending months of speculation about his plans for free agency.

In an interview on Fox Sports program AFL Tonight on Tuesday evening, Kelly said he was happy to remain in Western Sydney, but that he had been tempted by rival offers.

Among those offers was a reported multi-million dollar contract from cellar-dwellers North Melbourne.

“It was something that I did consider (moving to North Melbourne), no doubt,” Kelly said.

“I’ve got my family in Melbourne, my friends down there and the aspect of playing football in Melbourne around that atmosphere is always an option.

“I love the Giants and that’s the reason I decided to stay on. I feel like we’re really building towards something special. We’ve set ourselves up to make a push for the premiership this year and hopefully the years on.

“We’re super confident that the culture we’ve built up here is one that the boys want to hang around and win a premiership here.”

Club investigates Dale Thomas

Carlton director Chris Judd has blasted veteran Dale Thomas for drinking at a charity function, two nights before their latest AFL loss.

Judd revealed on Monday night that the Blues are investigating Thomas, who is having the week from hell.

Last Tuesday, he was fined $7500 at the AFL tribunal after pleading guilty to abusing an umpire.

He attended a charity function on Friday night and then played in Sunday's loss to St Kilda.

The Blues are two games clear at the bottom of the ladder and the pressure continues to grow on coach Brendon Bolton.