'We're the AFL team for the people of Canberra': GWS Giants eye new 10-year deal with ACT government

The Giants will return almost 12 months to the day since their last match in Canberra when they host St Kilda at Manuka Oval on Friday night.

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GWS are in the final year of their 10-year, $23 million partnership with the ACT government to play matches in Canberra, a deal which was rolled over in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with the club limited to two matches in Canberra over the past two seasons.

Friday night marks the first of four Giants home games in Canberra this year - Geelong, Brisbane and Fremantle round out the opponents - with GWS chief executive Dave Matthews keen to secure a new deal with government officials.

Matthews says the Giants have become "the AFL team for the people of Canberra", adamant the $23 million deal has paid off.

"With economic impact and other things, it's proven to be of value to everybody. That's the starting point in any of those negotiations. The spirit and intent of everybody is to get a deal done," Matthews said.

"It's still in discussions at the moment. We've really been very proud of the arrangement we've had over 10 years, and we didn't hesitate to push it out by one during COVID to make it an 11-year deal.

"We think all the fundamental planks are in place with the government, we're just going through some details at the moment. Sooner rather than later, we'd be looking at getting that partnership resolved.

"All parties are broadly very happy with the decision and the vision in the first place to have a 10-year arrangement, which in the end has gone quickly. We're very much the AFL team for the people of Canberra and we can see that happening for another decade."

The ACT government's sports funding has been a source of debate with political powerbrokers boosting a financial commitment to the Canberra Raiders to $2.6 million per year.

Government officials have said investment in the ACT Brumbies is the "most significant" funding priority in the capital, securing a two-year, $3.5 million deal to ensure the club is financially viable. The Raiders' package is bigger due to a larger amount of home games.

The Giants earn $2.3 million per year through a combination of games in Canberra, as well as a partnership fee designed to develop the club's brand in the ACT via an academy program, as well as participation and community initiatives.