Jy Simpkin could become the latest AFL captain to be on the move, with North Melbourne star Harry Sheezel confirming his frustrated skipper is exploring his options.
Simpkin is contracted to the Kangaroos until the end of 2029 but has become increasingly frustrated at his lack of midfield minutes.
West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen is set to join Brisbane as a free agent, while contracted Essendon skipper Zach Merrett is exploring a move to Hawthorn, despite the Bombers refusing to let him go.
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Simpkin could also be on the move, but Sheezel hopes the 27-year-old stays put — despite being aware of the true extent of his skipper’s issues dating back to last year.
“It’s obviously a tough situation with the club,” Sheezel told SEN.
“Jy has expressed his frustration continuously for a little bit over the last year or so. The club have been really open with that in speaking with him and really trying to work through it together.
“They’re both on really good terms, he’s on really good terms with me personally and a lot of the players.
“I don’t think it’s quite what is being reported. Jy hasn’t requested a trade or anything, he’s just exploring his options, seeing if there’s anything out there.
“He and the club are still staying in contact, and I think there’s still a lot to play out, but I don’t think it’s the disaster that’s being reported.”
Simpkin’s lack of midfield minutes has been the major cause of his frustration, with the 173-game veteran spending large parts of this season on the wing.
“I think that’s definitely true, and Jy is open in saying that,” Sheezel said of Simpkin’s frustrations.
“He is an unbelievable player and leader for our club, and he feels like - off the back of winning a couple of best and fairests in the midfield - he hasn’t got that opportunity as much as he would have liked.
“I think it’s something that the club and him need to work through in the future, because he’s such a good player for us but he can play so many roles and he’s so versatile.”
Sheezel said North’s player group were keen for Simpkin to stay.
“I don’t know if I can 100 per cent say if he will stay or go, but I personally would love him to stay,” Sheezel said.
“The club 100 per cent want him to stay and want to work through his frustrations with him.”
Meanwhile, West Coast have handed star mid-season recruit Tom McCarthy a fresh two-year extension, tying him to the club until the end of 2028.
Fellow mid-season recruit Jacob Newton and premiership defender Tom Cole have earned new deals for 2026.
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