AFL 2024: All the latest contract news as Harry Sheezel extends North Melbourne deal

Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel was already contracted until the end of 2026 – but he’ll be at Arden Street a lot longer than that now. And a star Bomber has made a similar call.

North Melbourne’s Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel has made a massive commitment to the Kangaroos signing on until at least the end of 2030 in a massive show of faith after the club finished second-last on the ladder in his brilliant debut season.

Sheezel, 19, not only won the AFL Rising Star in 2023, but also won the North Melbourne best and fairest in a stunning start to his career,

Already contracted until 2026, the teenager who was taken at pick three in the 2022 draft said he “wouldn’t want to go anywhere else” after inking a deal which will keep him at Arden Street for the next seven seasons.

Harry Sheezel has extended his stay at North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

“I am very excited and very grateful as well for the club for giving me the opportunity to sign on for that long,” Sheezel, who also joined the club’s leadership group this season said.

“I love the club and wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

“Ever since I walked in the door, I’ve just loved the place – the players, the coaching staff and just the whole environment at the club. They’ve made me and my family feel so welcome.”

North Melbourne head of football talent Brady Rawlings said the club was excited to secure Sheezel’s services long-term having also locked in forward star Nick Larkey and co-captain Jy Simpkin on long-term deals.

“We’re absolutely rapt to have a player and person of Harry’s calibre sign on until at least the end of 2030,” he said.

“We’ve loved what we’ve seen from him so far, and at 19, he’s only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of.

“His decision to join the likes of Jy Simpkin and Nick Larkey in committing to the club long-term is a great show of confidence in the future of the club, and we can’t wait to see what the next seven years hold with him here.”

Meanwhile, Hawthorn youngster Bailey Macdonald has signed a two-year extension until the end of 2026.

The speedster played two games in his debut season after being selected at pick 51 in the 2022 national draft.

ANOTHER DON COMMITS TO SCOTT’S BLUEPRINT

– Sam Landsberger

Jordan Ridley wants Essendon to emulate the sustained success of constant premiership contenders Geelong and Sydney after re-signing until 2029.

Ridley, 25, and Ben McKay now hold the longest contracts at Tullamarine with a wave of star Bombers committing to coach Brad Scott’s blueprint for success.

Other key players who have locked themselves away include Mason Redman, Darcy Parish, (contracted until 2028), Zach Merrett, Kyle Langford, Nic Martin, Xavier Duursma and Peter Wright (2027).

Young gun Elijah Tsatas also signed on until 2026 recently.

Ridley was already committed until 2026, but has decided to add another three years to his deal. He will turn 31 shortly after his new contract expires.

Jordan Ridley will remain at Essendon until at least 2029. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Jake Stringer, Archie Perkins, Jye Caldwell, Sam Durham and Andy McGrath headline the list of out-of-contract players the Bombers will be eager to re-sign this year.

“It gives me a lot of confidence in where the club is heading with the likes of Zach, Ben (McKay), Darcy and Mason signing on,” Ridley said.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with them for many years to come. Having ‘Scotty’ come in and see how he has led the team has definitely impacted my decision to extend.

“Looking at clubs like Geelong and Sydney and their sustained success is something I want to achieve with this club.”

Ridley is one of the best kicks at the Bombers and there is a belief he could become the club’s version of a Tom Stewart-like roadblock this season.

Ridley entered 2020 with just nine games under his belt but won the best-and-fairest that season and he has finished in the top five every year since.

Last year Ridley finished fifth despite missing six games and getting injured in two others.

“Despite an already impressive football resume, at just 25, we believe that Jordan’s best football is well and truly ahead of him,” Dons football boss Daniel McPherson said.

“It is a significant signing for our football club, and is a fantastic reflection of the confidence he has in Brad and the club moving forward.

Originally published as AFL 2024: All the latest contract news as Harry Sheezel extends North Melbourne deal