The future of North Melbourne’s forward line has received a significant boost, with spearhead Nick Larkey signing a five-year contract extension.

The two-time club leading goalkicker was set to come out of contract and enter free agency next year. However, his new long-term deal will see him at the club until at least the end of 2029.

Arguably one of the best draft steals in the club’s history, Larkey has kicked 156 goals across 84 games since being selected with pick No.73 in the 2016 AFL Draft. 

He currently leads the club’s goalkicking tally again in 2023 and sits fourth on the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 36 majors – just six shy of his career-high 42 in 2021.

Larkey, who turned 25 earlier this month, said he is excited about the prospect of playing for the club into his 30s. 

“It’s an awesome feeling… I can’t believe I’m going to be a player here for that long,” he said.

“I never would have thought my career would go this way or I’d have the chance to play at North Melbourne until I’m at least 30. So, I’m really humbled, honoured, and excited for the next five years.”

Larkey also said the team’s recent performances, and the recent form of the likes of George Wardlaw, Harry Sheezel, Bailey Scott, Will Phillips, Eddie Ford and Tom Powell, helped solidify his decision to recommit to the club long-term.

“The past four weeks, even though we’ve lost, there’s been genuine positives from those games with some of the younger guys stepping up and playing really good footy.

“There’s a genuine belief that we’re going to be all right with these players around us.” 

Larkey joins co-captain Jy Simpkin in committing his future to the club after Simpkin also turned his back on free agency and signed a five-year contract extension last month.

North Melbourne head of football talent Brady Rawlings expressed the club’s excitement to retain the services of another key leader in Larkey for several years to come. 

“Nick is a very important player for us as our number one target up forward and a member of the leadership group,” Rawlings said. 

“At 25 years of age, he still has a lot of great football ahead of him, and we are rapt that he will have the opportunity to deliver this at North Melbourne despite significant interest from other clubs.

“His decision to join Jy Simpkin in recommitting to the club long-term is another great show of confidence in the future of our club, and we look forward to watching him continue to establish himself as one of the best key forwards in the competition.”