Harry Sheezel has serious confidence in North Melbourne rising the ladder in the coming years.
That’s the takeaway from his new four-year deal at the Kangaroos, which ties him to Arden Street until 2030. Sheezel was already signed until 2026 and has seen enough in his 15 months at the club to pen another significant contract extension.
That’s despite four consecutive seasons in the bottom two for the Roos, during which time the club has had five different senior coaches.
Stability finally seems to be reaching Arden Street, with the second season of Alastair Clarkson and important contract extensions of Jy Simpkin, Nick Larkey, George Wardlaw and now Sheezel on Thursday.
With optimism aplenty surrounding North Melbourne, Kane Cornes applauded the club for locking away the 19-year-old long term.
“I’ve got to say, I don’t mind this one,” Cornes said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“I’m usually totally against long-term deals, but to the North Melbourne Football Club, well done, this is a good deal.”
Sheezel was taken with the third pick of the 2022 National Draft and was a shining light in an otherwise dour season for the Kangaroos.
He claimed the club’s Syd Barker Medal and became the first player in almost 30 years to win a best and fairest in their first year. Port Adelaide’s Darren Mead was the last back in 1997.
Sheezel was also a clear winner in the league’s Rising Star award. It was a campaign that stamped the big-bodied utility as a star of the future and one who deserved an instant pay rise.
That being the case, Cornes is concerned Sheezel may have walked away from significant money by signing a contract after just one year.
It is typical for younger players to sign shorter contracts to then negotiate terms after they’ve displayed better form in seasons following. Sheezel has bucked this trend.
The money Sheezel has signed for is unclear, however, Cornes hopes multiple clauses are included just in case things do not pan out for the Roos.
Clubs’ salary caps are expected to continue to rise in the coming years, making AFL players better paid.
“I’m Harry Sheezel and his manager… why would he have signed that?” Cornes questioned.
“I hope there are triggers in there because my initial thoughts were Alastair Lynch’s 10-year deal (at Brisbane)… that could be the case with this.
“I don’t know, you hope things go well for North and you hope they’re on the right path to building towards a premiership, but it is such a long time to lock himself into.
“I hope there are clauses everywhere in this contract because I’m nervous he’s cost himself a bit with locking himself in for so long at such a young age.”
Clubs, players and managers are largely free to negotiate whatever clause they choose into contracts. Boosts for All-Australian selection and other awards are often used, as are triggers for more years to be added on to an existing deal.
Sheezel, who played every game in his debut campaign, averaged 27 disposals, 5.4 marks and 5.2 rebound 50s per game playing largely off half-back and looks to have improved again based on his pre-season form.
