On the back of Christian Petracca’s seven-year deal at Melbourne, it got us thinking.
Which player should your club tie down to a long-term contract?
Let’s just pretend your club has the salary cap space and there is no consequence to offering a multi-year mega deal.
We have taken length of current contract into account when making these assessments.
See who we think your club should hand a lengthy contract to below.
Tom Doedee
There are no clear standout candidates at the Crows so Tom Doedee gets the nod.
The intercept defender position has become increasingly important in recent times and Doedee is building his craft nicely in the role.
He is 24 right now and out of contract this season so it makes sense, especially taking into account the leadership skills he possesses having already skippered the side. Could he take over as captain after Rory Sloane?
While you would shirk at handing out a massive deal to a backman who has had his fair share of injuries, Doedee appears the best choice for Adelaide.
Andrew Slevison
Lachie Neale
Having already re-signed young stars Harris Andrews (2025), Hugh McCluggage (2024), Eric Hipwood (2023), Jarrod Berry (2024), Zac Bailey (2024) and Cam Rayner (2023) long term, the Lions could then turn their focus to securing Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale for the rest of his career.
When fit, Neale has proved he is in the elite bracket of midfielders and his ground level game shouldn’t diminish with age.
Brisbane could offer Neale, who turns 28 this year, one final long-term contract until extending him year-by-year as his career winds down.
Lachlan Geleit
Cripps, McKay, Walsh
Where do you start with Carlton? Their captain Patrick Cripps is currently out of contract and in need of being locked away long term.
Harry McKay is currently the Coleman Medal favourite and is breaking out after a few years of promise. He is still young and could command any kind of contract.
Then there’s Sam Walsh, who comes out of contract next year and at 20, is already Carlton’s best player. The Blues could sign him to a 10-year deal and Blues fans likely wouldn’t bat an eyelid.
Carlton has some work to do.
Nic Negrepontis
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Darcy Moore
Out of contract at the end of 2022, Moore’s next contract is set to be a big one in terms of both dollars and length of deal.
When in his preferred position down back, Moore is Collingwood’s best weapon both defensively and going forward such is his ability to intercept the ball and provide rebound of the half-back line.
Born 21 days later than Christian Petracca, Moore is right in the sweet spot to garner a big money, long-term offer.
His price could yet go up if he shows an ability to play forward at an elite level in the coming weeks.
Lachlan Geleit
Zach Merrett
Merrett’s future is still undecided seven rounds in, with the Dons midfielder out of contract and eligible to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
If the Bombers would want to sign anyone up right now, it would be Merrett, who is still just 25 and should only progress as a footballer from here.
Plenty has been made about Essendon’s crop of exciting young players, but it’s Merrett’s signature who they’d want the most as opposition clubs continue to signal their interest in him.
Laurence Rosen
Adam Cerra
Adam Cerra has lived up to the hype as one of the top midfielders of the 2017 National Draft.
He has played 63 career games, averaging 20 disposals per game so far this year playing more on-ball.
Cerra has been linked with a move in the trade period, potentially taking big money to return home to Victoria.
The Dockers would be well within their rights to do what it takes to keep Cerra and lock him into a growing midfield alongside Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong.
Nic Negrepontis
Cam Guthrie
The Cats’ key pieces have largely been re-signed longer term, but one important player that comes out of contract at the end of the year is Cam Guthrie.
Still just 28, the crucial midfielder had a career-best season in 2020 and was deservedly named in the All-Australian side last year.
He’s only improved from there and is currently averaging 30 touches, doing his long-term contract hopes no harm.
Guthrie has morphed into one of his side’s most important players and is well deserving of a long-term deal if it comes in the coming months.
Laurence Rosen
Ben King
Gold Coast has a slew of talented youngsters in their ranks. Ben King (2022) is absolutely pivotal to their hopes of climbing the ladder.
The Suns are already building their team around King who is currently equal-fourth in the Coleman Medal at just 20 years of age. Is almost certain to attract interest from Victorian clubs.
King, Jack Lukosius (2022), Noah Anderson (2023), Matt Rowell (2023) and Izak Rankine (2022) are the core of the Suns’ future and must be retained at all costs.
Alex Zaia
Tim Taranto
The Giants aren’t afraid to hand out lengthy contracts, as evidenced by Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly (to a degree), so why not another one for Tim Taranto?
The 23-year-old will soon hit his prime which is a great sign considering he’s already won a club best and fairest and is fast becoming the club’s premier on-baller.
Taranto is in career-best form in 2021, averaging close to 30 disposals, and is a prime candidate to receive a mega deal to stay with the Giants for the remainder of his 20s.
Andrew Slevison
James Sicily
Currently rehabbing a torn ACL, it would be fair to flinch at the idea of giving James Sicily a long-term contract.
However, Sicily remains one of the star defenders of the competition and will be out of contract at the end of 2022.
If not for his knee, he may be Hawthorn captain right now and he will remain a key cog for the Hawks going forward.
At 27 this time next year, there’s still time for one last big contract to make Sicily a Hawk for life.
Nic Negrepontis
Luke Jackson
The Demons are flying at the top of the ladder and have locked away two of their most important players in Christian Salem and most recently Christian Petracca on long-term deals.
Next in line for a lengthy contract is emerging ruckman Luke Jackson, who comes out of contract at the end of next year and has only continued to improve in 2021.
Alongside Max Gawn, Jackson has flourished in a dual ruck/forward role this year and was handed a Rising Star nomination in Round 8 for his impressive performance against North Melbourne.
Re-signing Jackson for the longer term would be high on the priority list of the ladder leaders.
Laurence Rosen
Jy Simpkin
Jy Simpkin comes out of contract next year and he will command a big deal as a growing leader in North Melbourne’s midfield.
The 23-year-old had a breakout season in 2020 and has backed it up this year, averaging 26 disposals per game in what has been a tough period for the Kangaroos.
There’s no question Simpkin will be key to their plans going forward and they shouldn’t think twice about locking him in long-term.
Key defender Ben McKay is out of contract this year and could also command a significant deal. McKay is improving fast and could be North Melbourne’s full-back for the next 10 years.
Nic Negrepontis
Zak Butters
Zak Butters is a key piece of Port Adelaide’s future.
Coming out of contract at the end of 2022, securing the 20-year-old’s signature to a long-term deal is an absolute must for the Power.
Butters is one the AFL’s most exciting young talents and will only get better as he builds his engine and hones his midfield craft. He is tough, skilful and reliable.
Fellow first-round draftee Connor Rozee (2022) is another Power prodigy with enormous potential.
Alex Zaia
Shai Bolton
This one is a no-brainer.
Shai Bolton is a potential superstar who has match-winning abilities. He is pure class and can be a prime mover at Richmond for years to come.
The 22-year-old is currently enjoying a career season, averaging personal bests for disposals (21.9), inside 50s (5.3) marks and clearances (4.7), and goals (1).
The two-time premiership player can operate through the midfield, where he is a prime extractor, and is exceptionally dangerous inside forward 50.
It’s timely, too, as Bolton is out of contract this year and would be the subject of interest from several clubs who might be planning a lucrative offer to lure him from Punt Road.
The other obvious choice is superstar Dustin Martin but he is already tied away until 2024.
Andrew Slevison
Jack Steele
Jack Steele is locked away at St Kilda until the end of 2022.
Given his age (25), consistency and leadership credentials, the Saints will look to retain Steele’s services for the foreseeable future.
He has become a heart and soul player at Moorabbin and a bona fide star in his own right.
Emerging duo Rowan Marshall (2022) and Hunter Clark (2023) are also integral to St Kilda’s plans of becoming a perennial finals contender.
Alex Zaia
Tom Papley
At 24, Papley is right in the hitting zone to earn a long-term contract.
Perhaps the most consistent small forward in the AFL, Sydney will know exactly what they’re going to get from Papley going forward.
He also has proven his durability, having played at least 20 games in every year since debuting in 2016. (Apart from 2020’s shortened season where he played all 17 games.)
After attracting significant interest from Victorian based clubs in recent seasons, the Swans would be keen to lock him to the Harbour City for his prime years.
Lachlan Geleit
Oscar Allen
The league’s westernmost outpost has been a boneyard for opposition key defenders throughout the 35-year history of the West Coast Eagles.
Peter Sumich averaged 3.89 goals per game on Subiaco, while Josh Kennedy has managed 2.82 in home matches, in the competition’s most contested and congested era.
Oscar Allen has long been anointed the heir-apparent, and a similar pattern is emerging this season with the the 22-year-old kicking four and five in home fixtures against Gold Coast and Collingwood, respectively.
He’s young and he’s a local, drafted from West Perth. He can help the Eagles stretch the ground and dominate in the air, characteristics synonymous with the blue and gold wings, for a decade to come.
Give him a blank cheque.
Nathan John
Marcus Bontempelli
Marcus Bontempelli’s maturation from raw, skinny talent into premiership star, captain and top-five player in the game has infused the league’s working class club with a confidence and cachet they dreamt of for decades.
The 25-year-old has three best and fairest awards and All-Australian blazers, an AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award and a premiership medal in the pool room, and his prime could well be ahead of him.
Bontempelli this week insinuated it is a matter of time until he puts pen to paper. When the skipper is finally fastened to the future in Footscray, list boss Sam Power’s attention will turn to Tim English, Bailey Smith and later Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Nathan John