The Tasmania Devils have missed out on one of their prime targets after key defender Charlie Comben re-signed with North Melbourne on a new six-year deal.
Comben was set to become a free agent at the end of next season, and had already attracted plenty of interest from Tasmania ahead of the Devils' entry in 2028.
But in a show of faith in North Melbourne's rebuild, Comben has inked a new deal that will tie him to the Kangaroos until the end of 2033.
The 25-year-old is coming into the peak years of his career, and his re-signing is a massive boost to a North Melbourne outfit that have already posted eight wins this year, dwarfing the returns of 2025 (five wins), 2024 (three), 2023 (three), 2022 (two), 2021 (four) and 2020 (three).
Comben joins fellow core players Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Finn O'Sullivan, Paul Curtis and Cooper Trembath in re-signing this year.
"You went through some adversity in the early part of your career ... (and now) you want to do something with your mates here, which is pretty special."
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) July 30, 2026
Clarko brings the news to the morning meeting ☕️ pic.twitter.com/PZ6DESZ1IA
"Charlie has shown great resilience and work ethic, and to see him develop into one of our most reliable and impactful key defenders has been incredibly rewarding," North Melbourne's list manager Brady Rawlings said.
"Charlie has great passion for this club and its direction and has grown into a highly respected figure within our walls.
"His elevation to the leadership group this year reflects the character and standard he sets for our young group, and he will be a fundamental part of the club for long time."
North Melbourne (8-11) have fallen a win behind the final wildcard play-off spot following four losses on the trot, and they face a tough battle against high-flying Hawthorn (13-5-1) in Launceston on Saturday.
After facing the Hawks, North round out their season with games against the Bulldogs, Geelong and Sydney in what shapes as the ultimate gruelling test to their finals hopes.
