Christmas has come early for North Melbourne.
Young midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke, runner-up in the Kangaroos’ Syd Barker Medal this year, has signed a two-year extension that will keep him in royal blue and white until at least the end of the 2025 season.
The 23-year-old was one of North’s top re-signing priorities, along with free agent defender Ben McKay, so his early decision is a significant coup for a club that has won nine games in three years.
North Melbourne young gun Luke Davies-Uniacke (with ball) has signed a two-year contract extension.Credit:Getty Images
Davies-Uniacke was originally the No.4 pick in the 2017 draft, with the likes of Aaron Naughton, Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra also selected in the top 10 that year.
Groin and shoulder injuries limited him to 30 games across his first three seasons, but he has become one of the Roos’ best and most impactful players in the past two years.
He averaged a career-best 25 disposals, five clearances and five inside 50s in 2022 as he finished behind only Jy Simpkin in the best-and-fairest award.
Davies-Uniacke’s emergence was even more valuable, given fellow midfield star Ben Cunnington played only two matches this year after beating testicular cancer.
“Luke has rapidly become one of the club’s most important players. There are plenty of examples of that throughout the season just gone,” the club’s head of football talent, Brady Rawlings, said.
“We’re ecstatic to have a player of his calibre commit to North Melbourne for another two years.
Luke Davies-Uniacke.Credit:AFL Photos
“He’s such a terrific person to have at the club – both on and off the field – and we know how much our members and fans have loved his recent rise as a footballer. We’ve got so much confidence in him, and we look forward to seeing him take his game to yet another level.”
Davies-Uniacke’s growing stature was evidenced by two brilliant performances this past season that delivered him maximum Brownlow Medal votes, albeit both in losing causes.
He racked up 33 disposals, 14 inside 50s, 12 clearances and 11 tackles against Collingwood in round 17 before amassing 37 touches, 11 clearances and 10 inside-50s in a round 22 clash with Adelaide.
The Kangaroos won only two games this year, so making more of Davies-Uniacke’s increasing dominance will be part of new coach Alastair Clarkson’s blueprint. Securing his signature before the 2023 season is especially important after North Melbourne agreed to trade disgruntled No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis to Port Adelaide just one season into his AFL career.
At a club hoping for brighter days ahead, Davies-Uniacke represents one of the main reasons for that belief.
Rawlings and the Roos’ list management crew will now look to lock away intercept king McKay, but also have big calls to make on veterans Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell and Aaron Hall next year.
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