By Sam McClure, Peter Ryan and Jon Pierik
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Luke Davies-Uniacke is locked in at North Melbourne for the long term.
- Michael Voss says Harry McKay can’t wait to make his return on Saturday.
- Sam Mitchell speaks publicly for first time since Oscar Allen meeting became public.
Roo coup as LDU inks deal
Sam McClure
The newly re-signed Luke Davies-Uniacke admits there were “tough conversations” had with coach Alastair Clarkson before eventually inking a seven-year contract extension to remain at Arden Street for life.
The gun midfielder had strong interest from a host of Victorian clubs – most notably St Kilda, Geelong and Collingwood – but said the romping 10-goal win over Melbourne in round two went a long way to him deciding to recommit to the club.
The contract to keep “LDU” at the club until the end of 2032 is worth north of $8 million over the seven seasons, according to two industry sources who wanted to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of contract discussions.
Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman, Carlton’s Tom De Koning, North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke and Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell have all been on the radars of rival clubs.Credit: Photos: AFL Photos, Getty Images. Artwork: Aresna Villanueva
His commitment to North Melbourne is a significant fillip for the club, when you consider the No.4 draft pick from 2017 has only played in 22 wins out of 112 games.
“I probably knew … a lot off the back of the Dees game … but there was never a thought of wins and losses – it was more how I felt the group was heading and heading in the right direction, and the belief that comes from within and from the coaches,” he said.
“From then on I noticed each game we were getting better, and the Dees game was great but then [against] the Crows we had a bit of a stinker, but there was just a belief among this group that you probably couldn’t see, externally.”
Davies-Uniacke had been one of the hottest talking points in trade discussions this season and was one of the most desired free agents in recent memory.
North’s Davies-Uniacke gets a handball away under pressure from Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol.Credit: AFL Photos
“The media speculation is just a part of the game now, and the AFL does feel like it’s a bit of a business now, and the loyalty side of things doesn’t really come in to play, but being at the club so long … I was probably leaning towards one decision, most of the time,” he said.
“There were some tough conversations between me and Clarko and some external figures as well, but I’ve definitely made the right choice.”
The hard-nosed midfielder broke through last season for his first best and fairest and has again been one of the standout performers for the club early in 2025, despite the Kangaroos winning just one of their opening four matches.
“Luke is a very important and much-loved member of our playing group, so to have him sign on for seven more years is brilliant news for us and our supporters,” North Melbourne football boss Brady Rawlings said in a statement.
“His long-term commitment, despite significant interest from other clubs, is also a fantastic show of confidence in our program and the future of the club. At 25, Luke has plenty of great football still ahead of him, and we look forward to watching him deliver it here at North Melbourne.”
Carlton star Harry McKay and skipper Patrick Cripps at training recently.Credit: Getty Images
Harry McKay in good space says Voss as vital match looms
Peter Ryan
Carlton coach Michael Voss says it took real courage for Harry McKay to tell people he was struggling as he welcomed the Coleman medallist back for their must-win Gather Round match against West Coast.
He said McKay, who has missed three matches due to personal issues, was in “a good space” and although the 27-year-old would prefer to make a low-key return, he understood the interest in his wellbeing.
McKay received cheers and encouragement from the 1500-strong crowd at Carlton training as he walked across the oval from the team bus to the rooms at Glenelg’s home ground.
“I’m really proud of our club and how they’ve really stood strongly behind him, and given him the space that he’s needed to be able to work through a few things – and he is in a good place,” Voss said.
“He feels like he’s ready to go and he can’t wait to get out there.
“He’s an important member of our team and, importantly for us, we see him in the space that he’s in now and that’s all we ever want. The fact he gets to come out and play football and do the thing he loves is a little reward.
“He just wants to get on with business as well and not necessarily [have] too much fuss about it, but [he] sort of acknowledges there’s going to be some interest in it.”
McKay spoke to his twin brother, Essendon defender Ben, on their podcast about his personal issues, saying he had been overwhelmed by the support he received after coming forward and admitting he needed to deal with some personal issues.
“We can sometimes loosely use the word ‘courage’, but it does take some courage, and I think he articulated that only yesterday – just how tough that is, to live behind a facade,” Voss said.
McKay’s return alongside key forward Charlie Curnow for the first time this season is welcome as the Blues search desperately for a win against the bottom-placed Eagles. Voss admitted the game’s importance, but said it was critical they focus on the process, rather than the outcome.
Carlton have led all four of their games so far this season at half-time, but faded out to lose each of them.
Mitchell plays down Allen meeting
Jon Pierik
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has defended his meeting with Oscar Allen, conceding it’s how business is done in the free-agency era.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.Credit: AFL Photos
Mitchell created a furore last week when it emerged he had met with the Eagles captain in Perth. Allen, 26, is a restricted free agent and is weighing up his future.
Speaking for the first time since the meeting became public, Mitchell – who moved quickly to shut down questions at his weekly press conference – said “the public conversation and debate around it” had not been ideal.
“Putting that on Oscar’s plate was far from ideal and not the intention. That’s the first part – hopefully, it stays out of the media for now,” Mitchell said at Waverley Park on Friday.
“Having said that, anyone entering free agency, it’s the nature of the game now – meeting with the coach and clubs. He [Allen] still might stay at the club, and that happens a fair bit as well.”
Hawks captain James Sicily has described the public debate over whether a club captain should meet with another club through the season as a “storm in a tea-cup”. Mitchell agreed with his skipper, and said he felt sorry for what Allen had since endured.
Allen, forced to appear before the media in Perth, later said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” when he addressed his teammates about the meeting, but the club has backed him to continue as co-captain in 2025.
Allen has said his preference was to stay at the Eagles on a long-term deal. The Brisbane Lions are also keen to secure the power forward.
The Hawks have a free-agency issue of their own to deal with, for James Worpel is off contract and can test the market. Mitchell said he and Worpel have a close relationship.
“I am sure the list management crew will work that out. [I’m] not concerned about it. I am sure it will get done,” Mitchell said.
Worpel, should he pull up well after passing a fitness test on Friday, is in line to replace the injured Will Day in Sunday night’s grudge match against Port Adelaide.
The unbeaten Hawks head to Adelaide on Saturday, ready to renew a growing rivalry with the Power. Port beat Hawthorn by one point in round 11 last year and then by three in a controversial semi-final.
After the knockout clash, Power coach Ken Hinkley was fined $20,000 by the AFL for verbally taunting Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan.
“There is going to be a hostile crowd and a huge environment. All those things are part and parcel of the game that we play, and we love that element of it. But, realistically the focus for us needs to be what happens between the sirens,” Mitchell said.
The Hawks have been dealt a major blow with Day, their best midfielder, out for four months because of a stress fracture in his foot.Club physiotherapists told Mitchell on Friday they were unsure if Day would play again this season.
“Will has been a really important player for us. He is in better spirits than I would have thought he would be. He had surgery, which I feel gives you the feeling I am getting better … he is on crutches and in a moon boot. You can tell something is healing,” he said.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.