North Melbourne co-captain and dual Syd Barker medallist Jy Simpkin has signed a five-year contract extension to all but ensure he is a Roo for life. 

Simpkin was set to come out of contract and enter free agency next year. However, his new long-term deal will see the 25-year-old remain at the club until at least the end of 2029. 

Hailing from Mooroopna in Victoria’s north, Simpkin arrived at Arden St via the Murray Bushrangers with pick No.12 in the 2016 AFL Draft.

The midfielder made a fast start to his time at the club, playing in six of the opening eight rounds before he was interrupted by a shoulder injury. He later returned for the final seven rounds of the season and has played 124 out of a possible 138 games throughout his career, a nod to his consistency and durability.

With North Melbourne stalwart Ben Cunnington sidelined for most of 2020, Simpkin stepped up to lead the club’s midfield with maturity and composure. He elevated his game again in 2021 to claim his maiden club best and fairest and his second in 2022, averaging a team-high 26 disposals and an equal team-high five clearances per game. 

Simpkin was promoted to co-captain alongside Luke McDonald at the beginning of 2023 after long-serving skipper Jack Ziebell stepped down. A proud Yorta Yorta man, his appointment as co-captain also made him the first Indigenous captain in the club’s history. 

Simpkin said he was “super excited” about the future of the club, and it was an easy decision to recommit long-term.

“I’ve been here for six or seven years now, and I love this place. I love the club, my teammates and the coaching staff,” he said.

“I have a lot of respect for everyone at the club, so when my management and the club came together to talk about a long-term deal, it was a no-brainer.”

North Melbourne head of football talent Brady Rawlings also expressed the club’s excitement to have one of its most important players turn his back on free agency and recommit to the club long-term. 

“We are absolutely rapt to have Jy commit his future to North Melbourne,” Rawlings said.

“Jy is highly regarded both on and off the field by the whole club, and his decision to sign on for a further five years despite the lure of free agency is a great show of confidence in where we are headed. 

“We look forward to watching him continue to be a fantastic player and leader for our club in the years to come.”

Simpkin is the second Roo to extend his contract this week after prized draftee George Wardlaw inked a two-year contract extension on Tuesday to remain at Arden St until at least the end of 2026.