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Sport Nation
The contract advice for Essendon’s Nate Caddy
Andrew Slevison • June 18th, 2025 9:21 am
Kane Cornes has urged Nate Caddy to hold off signing a new contract with Essendon this year.
Reports from Tom Morris on Tuesday suggested the management of the exciting 19-year-old forward was in talks with the Bombers around a multi-year deal.
Morris posted on X: “Essendon & Nate Caddy’s management are deep in negotiations around a multi-year extension. No signature yet, but it will come. He’s not going anywhere after this current deal expires at the end of 2026.”
In response to that report, given Caddy is already contracted until the end of 2026, Cornes has urged the second-year rising star to hold out for more money.
Cornes referenced Western Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcy and emerging Adelaide star Riley Thilthorpe signing with their respective clubs earlier than perhaps they needed to.
“My Vol-Kane-O is to the thought that Nate Caddy would extend his contract now,” the Port Adelaide great said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.
“I saw a report from Tom Morris that Nate Caddy is set to extend his contract long-term.
“We saw Sam Darcy do it, we saw the ‘Thilseeker’ Riley Thilthorpe extend their contracts before they needed to and cost themselves the most money in the history of the game.
“If Darcy waited until he was out of contract, he’d be on $1.5 to $2 million. Same with the Thilseeker.
“Nate Caddy at the end of 2026 would be on ridiculous money or offers coming that way.
“So, whoever is advising him - if money is important, money might not be important - but if it’s important, hold.
“Nate, hold!”
Hawthorn and Brisbane champion Luke Hodge, however, suggests the emerging Caddy might be happy to be part of something with the Bombers, and not necessarily guided by cash.
“Sometimes if he’s happy with the amount of money he is getting, he doesn’t need to (wait),” Hodge said.
“He might want to help Essendon build and grow into a team that goes back into finals.
“Maybe he’ll sign because of the love of the club and the opportunity they gave him.”
Caddy, the Pick 10 from 2023, has kicked 14 goals in 13 games in 2025 for a career tally of 23 goals in as many outings.
He leads the club with 14 contested marks this season (alongside Ben McKay), and has taken 15 marks inside 50. Only Peter Wright has more at the Dons with 20.
The Bombers and Caddy will look to recover from a horror 95-point loss to Geelong when they meet Fremantle in Perth on Thursday night.
