Harry Sheezel says his Kangaroos frustrated captain Jy Simpkin is “seeing what’s out there” before the trade period

North Melbourne best and fairest Harry Sheezel has confirmed his Kangaroos captain Jy Simpkin is “exploring his options” amid reports he could be the latest captain to request a trade and doesn’t know if he’ll stay or go. Simpkin is contracted until the end of 2029 but has reportedly aired his frustrations at a lack of midfield time to the coaches. It’s a frustrating vice-captain Sheezel, who was crowned club champion with ruckman Tristan Xerri last week, is well aware of. Sheezel said he was in constant communication with his captain and while Simpkin was looking around, didn’t sense it had reached the point where he wanted out of the Kangaroos. has spoken out on the current situation involving Jy Simpkin. Earlier this “I’ve been in constant conversation with Jy over the last few days and prior to the best and fairest,” Sheezel said on Friday. “It’s obviously a tough situation with the club. Jy has expressed his frustration continuously for a little bit over the last year or so - the club have been really open with that in speaking with him and really trying to work through it together. “They’re both on really good terms, he’s on really good terms with me personally and a lot of the players (also). “I don’t think it’s quite what is being reported. Jy hasn’t requested a trade or anything, he’s just exploring his options, seeing if there’s anything out there. “He and the club are still staying in contact, and I think there’s still a lot to play out, but I don’t think is the disaster that’s being reported.” Sheezel said he was aware of Simpkin’s “frustrations” having been shifted to roles on the wing in 2025. “I think that’s definitely true, and Jy is open in saying that,” Sheezel told SEN. “He is an unbelievable player and leader for our club, and he feels like – off the back of winning a couple of best and fairests in the midfield – he hasn’t got that opportunity as much as he would have liked. “I think it’s something that the club and him need to work through in the future, because he’s such a good player for us but he can play so many roles and he’s so versatile. He is such a good leader and a selfless leader that he’s kind of copped that a few times. “He’s definitely expressed his frustrations.” But as the trade period nears, Sheezel hoped Simpkin and the club would get back on the right terms. “I don’t know if I can 100 per cent say if he will stay or go, but I personally would love him to stay,” he said. “The club 100 per cent want him to stay and want to work through his frustrations with him. “This is a bit hard personally knowing him so well and being so close with him, it’d be hard seeing him playing for another team, and I think even for him it’d be hard for himself playing for another team.”