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Taranto's new Giants deal before derby

3 minute read

GWS midfield star Tim Taranto will remain a Giants player for at least three more AFL seasons after signing a two-year contract extension.

TIM TARANTO
TIM TARANTO Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

GWS young gun Tim Taranto has revealed leadership aspirations after signing a contract extension, but his immediate priority is quelling the influence of veteran Sydney "bulls" Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker.

The 21-year Victorian was already contracted for next season and has added two more years, taking him through to the end of the 2022 AFL campaign

Taranto, who leads GWS in disposals this year, has thrived in a fulltime midfield role in 2019, averaging 28 touches, six tackles and five clearances.

With co-captain Callan Ward playing just one game and Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly missing big chunks of the season, Taranto and Jacob Hopper have emerged as the young leaders in the GWS midfield.

"It's definitely added a bit more responsibility and leadership to myself and Hops," Taranto said.

"I've really enjoyed that opportunity. I am looking at it as a big positive.

A member of the Giants' emerging leaders group, he aims to become a senior leader in future.

"Yeah definitely, it's something I look forward to doing it in the next few years," Taranto said.

On Saturday at Giants Stadium, Taranto and Hopper will battle for midfield ascendancy with Kennedy and Parker in the Sydney derby clash.

"When I was growing up in under 18s I was watching those two a lot and I really enjoyed how they played," he said.

"Once I got my opportunity to play against them, I tried to learn as much as I could off them and tried to beat them.

"Physically it is a good experience. They are two bulls and they have been the best at it in the game for a long time."

While injury-hit Sydney have lost four games in a row and sit a lowly 15th on the ladder Taranto expected the fifth-placed Giants to face plenty of fire in the derby clash.

"They will be looking to come out and smash us. We will be looking to do the same," Taranto said.

"They have got nothing to lose and will be coming out at a million miles an hour."

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