Hayden Young now longest-contracted player in AFL after signing new monster deal to remain at Fremantle

Hayden Young is now the longest-contracted player in the AFL after signing a six-year extension tying him to the club well into the 2030s.

Hayden Young is now the longest-contracted player in the AFL after signing a six-year extension.

The Fremantle midfielder was already contracted until the end of 2027 when he would’ve hit free agency. But now he’ll be a Docker for life, signing until 2033.

Young goes past the likes of Sam Taylor, Connor Rozee, Aaron Naughton, Noah Balta and Max King who are all signed up until 2032.

Drafted at pick seven from the Dandenong Stingrays back in 2019, Young has emerged as one of the key pillars of Fremantle’s premiership push, successfully transitioning from half-back into the midfield this year.

The 23-year-old finished third in the Doig Medal behind fellow on-ballers Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw. He was also named in the All-Australian squad.

Hayden Young is now the longest-signed player in the AFL. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“It’s super special,” Young said. “When I arrived at the Football Club, I was welcomed in really well.

“They obviously took a punt on me at pick 7 as an 18-year-old who had never travelled to Fremantle and didn’t know much about the club.

“In the five years that I’ve been here, I’ve really fallen in love, and I’m super excited that this is where I’m going to be staying for the rest of my career.”

Fremantle boasts one of the most committed lists in the AFL with 16 players signed up until 2027 and beyond. With co-vice-captain Brayshaw also expected to put pen to paper soon on a long-term deal, the Dockers believe they are poised for sustained success.

“Coming across from Victoria, he’s so invested in the Fremantle Football Club,” Fremantle list manager David Walls said on Young’s extension.

“He’s a young leader who helps drives standards and we couldn’t be more excited to sign him as a Docker for life.

Hayden Young is set to be a Docker for life. Picture: Michael Klein

“Moving into the midfield he would’ve become highly sought after as a free agent and his reputation around the country has gone through the roof with that switch.”

Young said it was an easy decision to extend his contract driven by his desire to be part of the Dockers’ first premiership side.

“I’m really optimistic about the direction we are heading as a club, and I really want to be a part of that going forward,” Young said. “We’ve had a few frustrating seasons where we’ve been close but haven’t quite got there yet.

“I certainly feel like we’re heading in the right direction, and it will be so much more rewarding when we do reach the pinnacle after being there through the hard yards and putting in all the effort.

“We want to be the first players to hold up a premiership cup for Fremantle and bring it back to the town.”

Originally published as Hayden Young now longest-contracted player in AFL after signing new monster deal to remain at Fremantle