Overview

• Harry Sheezel told SEN that Simpkin has not requested a trade and is assessing what opportunities may exist.
• Simpkin remains under contract with North Melbourne through the end of 2029, making any change complex.
• A sharp drop in midfield and centre-bounce time, including longer stints on a wing, is cited as the key grievance.
• North Melbourne’s player group and club hierarchy want him to stay and are working to address his concerns.
• The development sits within a broader trend of captains weighing moves, with Oscar Allen set for Brisbane and Zach Merrett exploring Hawthorn, while West Coast extended Tom McCarthy to 2028 and re-signed Jacob Newton and Tom Cole for 2026.