Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver became the first player to sign a contract through 2030 on Thursday in a huge coup for both him and the club.
This prompted the question: What is the longest contract at each AFL club?
Geelong has the shortest of the longest contracts (if you know what we mean), while the Dees are obviously up the other end.
See each team’s lengthiest deal here:
Jordan Dawson and Rory Laird (2026)
The Crows landed Jordan Dawson from Sydney last trade period on a five-year deal.
He made his way to West Lakes in exchange for a future first-round selection from Melbourne by virtue of a four-club trade.
Dawson is locked away until 2026 which Adelaide fans would love given his impressive start to life as a Crow.
Alongside Dawson is two-time and reigning best and fairest Rory Laird.
The two-time All-Australian penned a five-year deal in early 2021 to keep him in navy blue, red and gold until his early 30s.
Andrew Slevison
Lachie Neale (2026)
Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale extended his deal for a further three years earlier this week, seeing him through until 2026.
The new deal puts to bed any speculation that he could pursue a move back to Fremantle after rumours emerged last trade period.
Having won the 2020 Brownlow Medal, Neale has returned to his best in 2022, averaging 31.6 disposals, 4.6 tackles and 7.5 clearances a game so far.
Lachlan Geleit
Patrick Cripps (2027)
Patrick Cripps signed a new deal with the Blues in 2021, locking him in with the club through to the end of 2027.
The deal is reportedly a team-friendly contract that will help the Blues re-sign the likes of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning.
The Carlton captain is back in career best form in 2022, averaging 27.6 disposals, 7.4 clearances and 4.8 tackles per game.
Nic Negrepontis
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Brodie Grundy (2027)
Brodie Grundy signed a highly-publicised seven-year deal to remain a Magpie in 2020, with five-years remaining on his deal after this season.
While Grundy was performing as one of the competition’s best players prior to inking his deal, his form has dropped off since, placing question marks on his reported $1 million per season price-tag.
Grundy started 2022 well for Collingwood, but since injuring his PCL against Essendon on Anzac Day, the Magpies’ other ruck options in Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox have flourished, placing a question mark over his position in the side.
Lachlan Geleit
Zach Merrett (2027)
Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett signed a long-term contract with the Bombers in June last year that should see him be a Bomber for life.
Locked away until the end of 2027, Merrett turned his back on rival interest to commit to the Bombers on a six-year deal reportedly worth around $5 million.
Merrett was a dominant winner in Essendon’s best and fairest in 2021, his 2022 season should see him be a live chance to claim back-to-back Crichton Medals.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Hayden Young (2027)
Fremantle defender Hayden Young recently signed a lengthy deal, tying him to the club through 2027.
While the Dockers have a number of young stars who will likely surpass Young contract wise, for now, he is at the top.
The rebounding defender has had an excellent 2020 season and was rewarded with the deal in May.
Nic Negrepontis
Jeremy Cameron and Cam Guthrie (2025)
The Cats haven’t committed to many players long-term given their ageing list, but Jeremy Cameron was the first to be locked through until 2025 at the Cattery when his massive trade from the Giants was made official.
Cam Guthrie was the next when signing a four-year extension to also secure his future until 2025, where he’ll be 33 years old.
Both Cameron and Guthrie are set to be among the most important players for the Cats when they inevitably fall back down the ladder in the coming years.
Cameron is currently second in the Coleman Medal race, while Guthrie has been Geelong’s most consistent midfielder this year.
Seb Mottram
Touk Miller (2027)
Touk Miller shunned free agency late last year when he signed with the Suns until 2027.
The gun midfielder still had a year to run on his contract, but celebrated his All-Australian and club champion season by signing on and was also rewarded with the club’s co-captaincy.
At 26, Miller is in the midst of his prime years and will continue to dominate in the middle for the Suns until he ticks over into his 30s.
Jack Lukosius is not far behind Miller, recently signing a four-year deal until 2026.
Andrew Slevison
Josh Kelly (2029)
Classy midfielder Josh Kelly made himself a Giant for life when he locked himself away on a massive deal in August last year.
The 27-year-old, who was named one of three co-captains before the 2022 season, triggered a massive eight-year extension with GWS where he will play until he is at least 34.
Kelly, a two-time best and fairest and one-time All-Australian, now sits second alongside Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and only behind Clayton Oliver as the players with the lengthiest contracts in the AFL.
Lachie Whitfield is next at the Giants having signed a seven-year extension on top of an existing deal in late 2019 which tied down until 2027.
Andrew Slevison
James Sicily (2027)
Sicily turned his back on free agency earlier in 2022 to recommit to Hawthorn through to the end of 2027.
The five-year deal sees the start defender locked in longer than any other Hawk.
After returning from a torn ACL, Sicily has put together an outstanding season and will be in All-Australian contention.
The Hawks have a number of young stars who will likely join Sicily around this mark at some stage.
Nic Negrepontis
Clayton Oliver (2030)
Melbourne star Clayton Oliver signed a monster seven-year contract extension on Thursday.
Oliver’s new deal ties him to the Demons until at least the end of 2030.
He is the first player to have a contract for the new decade.
Oliver is having an outstanding season and is one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal.
Nic Negrepontis
Luke McDonald (2026)
Given North Melbourne’s glut of young talent, it is surprising that defender Luke McDonald currently holds the longest contract, through 2026.
McDonald signed the deal in 2021 and has had a strong season for the Roos, potentially leading their best and fairest.
The likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jason Horne-Francis and Cam Zurhaar will (hopefully) soon be tied down for even longer.
Nic Negrepontis
Dan Houston (2027)
Houston signed on for another five years with Port Adelaide prior to the start of the 2022 season.
The bumper deal locked the 25-year-old in at the Power through to 2027.
Houston is putting together a career-best year after signing a long-term contract to stay at Alberton.
The defender-midfielder would certainly be in contention to win Port Adelaide’s best and fairest this season.
Alex Zaia
Jayden Short (2027)
Dual premiership player and one-time best and fairest Jayden Short is Richmond’s longest contracted player.
He signed for five years in May, locking him away at Punt Road until 2027.
The rookie draft selection has repaid the faith shown in him by the club with typically consistent performances so far in 2022.
Three-time premiership defender Nick Vlastuin is tied down until 2026 having put pen to a five-year deal in early 2021.
The next lengthy contract the Tigers may look to hand out could be to excitement machine Shai Bolton who is currently contracted until the end of 2023.
Andrew Slevison
Jack Steele and Rowan Marshall (2027)
Steele and Marshall have both committed their long-term futures to St Kilda.
Steele, a dual All-Australian, inked a five-year deal last December, while Marshall penned a five-year contract extension on Wednesday.
The key Saints pair are contracted through until the end of 2027.
Marshall’s deal is a big boost for the Saints after the ruck-forward turned down rival interest to stay at Moorabbin.
Alex Zaia
Isaac Heeney (2028)
Star Swan Isaac Heeney turned his back on free agency to sign a monster six-year contract extension that will see him remain a Swan until the end of 2028.
Heeney started 2022 emphatically, piling on impressive numbers that saw him feature amongst the Brownlow Medal favourites.
With Buddy Franklin’s contract nearing the end, Heeney's contract would see him be the highest paid player in the club.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Tom Barrass (2026)
Premiership defender Tom Barrass is contracted with West Coast until 2026.
The 26-year-old signed a five-year extension in December last year, making him the Eagle with the longest deal.
He will lead West Coast’s defence into his early 30s.
Behind Barrass is a handful of players who are tied down until 2025 including Dom Sheed, Jack Darling and Tim Kelly.
Andrew Slevison
Jack Macrae and Bailey Dale (2027)
The Dogs have two played contracted through until 2027, with both Jack Macrae and Bailey Dale signing new deals this year.
Both were eligible for free agency at the end of 2022 but are set to be Dogs for life after signing the new contracts.
Macrae will have given 15 years’ service to the Dogs by the time he comes out of contract while Dale will have been at the club for 13 seasons.
Dale has averaged 27.2 disposals this year as a running defender, while Macrae remains one of the best ball-winners in the competition, averaging 31.9 touches a game.
Seb Mottram