AFL contracts 2022: Changkuoth Jiath signs two-year extension at Hawthorn
One of the AFL’s brightest rising stars has re-upped at Hawthorn, revealing it was a tough decision to switch guernsey numbers due to his emotional connection with No.29.
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Exciting defender Changkuoth Jiath wants to help drive Hawthorn’s next generation quest for success under new coach Sam Mitchell, saying it was “a no-brainer” to sign a contract extension locking him into the club until the end of 2024.
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The 22-year-old resumed full training this week after overcoming a posterior cruciate injury that ended his season in Round 17 last year.
He says he will be a certain starter for the Hawks’ Round 1 clash with North Melbourne.
“It is so exciting to be a part of this new journey at Hawthorn,” Jiath said.
“There are some different faces and some changes and you can see the kind of shift as we try to build for the next premiership. That’s why it was a no-brainer for me to sign on with Hawthorn again.
“It is where I want to be to develop my skills and my personality as well.”
His fellow defender and good mate Jack Scrimshaw has also signed a two-year extension.
Jiath, affectionately known as ‘CJ’, was one of the shining lights during Hawthorn’s tough 2021, proving a fan favourite. Having played seven games in his first two seasons, he reeled off 16 matches last season with his explosive run and intercept skills a revelation.
He averaged 20.3 disposals and almost six marks per game, including a career-high 28 disposals and 553 metres gained against Sydney in Round 13.
“I was just having so much fun, building chemistry with my teammates,” he said. “I think we can take that to another level, but it is nice to be recognised.”
Part of that recognition will come with a guernsey switch – from No.29 to No.9 – which he agonised over.
He wore No.29, in honour of former Hawk Russell Greene. Greene and his wife Roxy were the host family for the Morwell-raised, Xavier College-graduate when he came to Hawthorn.
But after a meeting with the Greenes, and chatting to his own family, Jiath realised the significance of switching to the revered No.9.
“Sam (Mitchell) offered me the No.9, but it took me almost a month for me (to make the decision) because of the emotional connection I had with No.29.
“Russell was explaining it was fine. He said it was an honour (to be asked to wear No.9).
“It is incredible the club sees you as being worthy of wearing the number great players such as Dipper (Robert DiPierdomenico), Shane Crawford and Shaun Burgoyne wore.”
Jiath said Mitchell, former coach Alastair Clarkson and defensive coach Chris Newman played significant roles in his development.
“I’ve learnt a lot from Sam, he’s been fantastic for me,” he said. “I’ve learnt to be comfortably uncomfortable, that’s where you get the most out of yourself.”
“Newy (Newman), as the backline coach, has played a big part in my development.
“I loved working with Clarko too. I had a great relationship with him.”
Jiath said one moment early in the Easter Monday clash with Geelong – his 10th AFL match – convinced him he belonged on the big stage.
“It was the biggest crowd I had played in front of,” he said. “I remember one moment when I got the ball and started running.
“I heard the crowd screaming and thought I was about to get tackled so I got rid of the ball. I looked back on the vision and there was no one around me, but the crowd was sort of roaring and I hadn’t really heard that before.
“I felt the energy of the crowd. I fed off that energy.
“I like to run off, read the game and play freely, but you still have to defend as well.”
He has swiftly become one of the Hawks’ most popular players as a result of his daring play.
Now he is hoping his story – born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents before coming to Australia with his family – can provide some inspiration for young footballers of all backgrounds.
One of those he spoke with in recent years was Gold Coast’s Mac Andrew, who last November became the first player of South Sudanese heritage to be selected in the top 10 of an AFL draft.
“I do want to be a role model in the community,” he said. “I love speaking with kids about my journey because I was one of those kids not long ago.”
Walsh’s huge pay sacrifice to help Blues’ list plan
—Scott Gullan and Glenn McFarlane
Sam Walsh has further enhanced his leadership qualities, taking a significant hair cut on a new four-year deal to help Carlton keep its other star players.
The newly appointed vice-captain has signed well below market rate, at around $825,000 per season, because of his commitment to developing an era of success under new coach Michael Voss at Ikon Park.
Walsh, 21, was one of the highest profile players coming out of contract at the end of this season and he informed his teammates of the new deal on Monday morning.
There’s no doubt the on-ball star is a $1 million plus player but his sacrifice is set to give the Blues much-needed flexibility as they look to lock down key forwards Harry McKay and
Charlie Curnow, who come out of contract at the end of 2023.
The new deal will take Walsh, who finished fourth in last year‘s Brownlow Medal, through to the end of his eighth season, when he will qualify for free agency.
Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield said recently he rated Walsh so highly that if he was in charge of the Cats’ list management he would be prepared to give him a $10 million offer over 10 seasons.
The 2018 No.1 draft pick has been elevated to co-vice captain with defender Jacob Weitering in support of solo skipper Patrick Cripps.
“The decision could not have been easier for me – our club has a clear direction, strong leadership, as a playing group we know what we want to achieve and I want to do everything I possibly can to get us there,” Walsh said.
“From the moment I got drafted this football club has been amazing for me and my family, that includes our members and supporters, I am so grateful for how they’ve embraced me from day one.
“I’ve never taken for granted what it means to pull on that navy blue guernsey, it represents so much to so many people.
“We have a real focus to make Carlton people proud, earn respect back for this football club and everyone we represent, and I am very excited to be part of that, not only this season but for years to come.”
Walsh hasn‘t missed a game since debuting in the opening round of 2019, playing 61 consecutive matches. He won the Blues best-and-fairest last year and was named All-Australian for the first time after a season in which he averaged 29 disposals per game.
The Blues also recently locked away Cripps to a long-term deal until 2027 and Weitering, who is contracted until the end of 2025.
List manager Nick Austin paid tribute to Walsh for leading by example on and off the field.
“As a leader, Sam is really driving that selfless philosophy of the playing group at the moment, which tells you a lot about his qualities as a person,” Austin said.
“To have Sam come to us and want to sign on for four additional years, before this season has even started, tells you everything you need to know about how invested he is in the direction this club is heading and how determined he is to see the Carlton Football Club earn success.”
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