When Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young signed a monster contract extension in December to the end of 2033, it certainly raised a few eyebrows.
For starters, Young was already locked away at the Dockers until 2028, when he'd be set to enter free agency.
And secondly, the sheer number of years tacked onto his now new deal has sparked discourse as to why.
In more recent years, and with the increase in total player payments (TPP) per the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), AFL clubs are attempting to plan for the future, ensuring they equip themselves with the best talent around the nation for a tilt at the flag.
And in Young's case, the Victorian couldn't see any roadblocks in the future that would turn him into a two-club player.
"It (extend with Fremantle) was something I always wanted to do," Young said following Monday's training session.
"The prospect of being a Freo player for life is something that was really appealing to me and when the opportunity was presented, I didn't think twice about it.
"The opportunity to be one of the first players to win a premiership with the club is something really appealing to me.
"Going to another club, and chasing that (premiership), you wouldn't get the same satisfaction as sharing that experience with the people I've been with for the last five years.
"And I think that's what the real attraction for me was becoming one of the first players to hold up the cup with my teammates."
Young has seemingly put behind a leg injury concern that plagued him late in the season, which was re-aggravated early in the pre-season.
The 23-year-old has returned free of worry, hitting the tracks hard as the club looks to put its best foot forward with the 2025 season nearing.
However, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows in West Australia for some of Young's teammates, with defender Luke Ryan a part of a sickening clash with forward Jye Amiss.
In a desperate attempt to intercept the contest, Ryan put himself in the defensive hole and was obliterated by the oncoming Amiss and Hugh Davies at Cockburn on Monday.
Luke Ryan just involved in a massive collision during Freo match simulation. Absolutely sandwiched in a marking contest. Has walked off under his own steam not without uttering โIโm doneโ to the physios. pic.twitter.com/pJ0dNClVm2
— Eliza Reilly (@ByElizaReilly) January 13, 2025
The All-Australian defender was helped from the ground but showcased the intensity the club has brought to the summer training.
"The intensity is through the roof but Luke (Ryan) is all good," Young said.
"He copped a heavy knock today but he seems alright. And that's a good sign.
"But that's what we want. We want the intensity to be up and we've had a really fit list throughout the whole pre-season so everything is going really hard, which is great.
"Bodies are flying around and we know Round 1 will be like that so we want to train how we play."
Fremantle kick-start their 2025 campaign with a clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The Dockers will also face off against an Indigenous All-Stars outfit on February 15 at Optus Stadium.
