Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young has signed a monster six-year contract extension to remain at the Dockers until at least the end of 2033.

Young was already locked in until the end of 2027 after inking a four-year deal in the middle of 2022, but now, he’s the longest-contracted player in the AFL.

Young, 23, has played 91 games and become one of the stars of a powerhouse engine room alongside vice-captains Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw since being drafted with pick No.7 in 2019.

“It’s super special. When I arrived at the Football Club, I was welcomed in really well. They obviously took a punt on me at pick 7 as an 18-year-old who had never travelled to Fremantle and didn’t know much about the club,” Young joked.

“In the five years that I’ve been here, I’ve really fallen in love, and I’m super excited that this is where I’m going to be staying for the rest of my career.”

Fremantle head of player personnel David Walls said the club was delighted to sign Young, who would become a free agent at the end of his previous deal that took him to the end of 2027.

“Coming across from Victoria, he’s so invested in the Fremantle Football Club,” Walls said.

“He’s a young leader who helps drives standards and we couldn’t be more excited to sign him as a Docker for life.

“Moving into the midfield he would’ve become highly sought after as a free agent and his reputation around the country has gone through the roof with that switch.

“Just his work ethic to elevate his game. He’s now a goalkicking midfielder which is extremely valuable and he also went forward last season.”

Young started his career as a running half-back but moved into the midfield this year with great success, averaging 24 disposals, five clearances and five tackles as well as kicking a career-high 13 goals.

We want to be the first players to hold up a premiership cup for Fremantle and bring it back to the town.

Young said the decision to extend his contract was “a no-brainer”, driven by a burning desire to lift Fremantle’s first premiership cup.

“I’m really optimistic about the direction we are heading as a club, and I really want to be a part of that going forward,” Young said.

“I’ve settled into life in Perth, and I certainly don’t want to shift and move now that I’ve settled in. I’ve got a house, live near the beach – it’s a pretty good lifestyle to live. So to know that I’ll be here for the next nine years is a bit crazy, but also super exciting. I’m stoked.

“When I got drafted, I had never been to Fremantle, didn’t know anything about it, but I suppose as a young kid I admired players who played at one club.

“I also admired players that had to go through adversity, put in the hard yards, and got the rewards toward the back end of their career.

“We’ve had a few frustrating seasons where we’ve been close but haven’t quite got there yet. I certainly feel like we’re heading in the right direction, and it will be so much more rewarding when we do reach the pinnacle after being there through the hard yards and putting in all the effort.

“We want to be the first players to hold up a premiership cup for Fremantle and bring it back to the town.”