Geelong free agent Jack Henry is close to coming to terms with the Cats on a long-term contract, after strong interest from rival clubs headed by North Melbourne.
Henry and Geelong are not far apart in terms of reaching a deal, with the tall defender certain to be handed a contract of at least four years.
The Cats have tabled an offer for Henry, which his management is yet to accept, but a source with knowledge of the negotiations – who did not wish to be on record given the sensitivity – said the parties were not far apart and Henry was certain to re-sign with Geelong.
Jack Henry competes with Eric Hipwood in the Cats’ clash with the Lions recently.Credit: AFL Photos
North Melbourne had shown interest in Henry, who was also on the radar of Hawthorn and St Kilda, as a tall defender who was available without any draft cost and would get a five or six-year offer from another club.
Henry is an unrestricted free agent, which means he could cross to another club without Geelong having the right to match the contract terms and force a trade.
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Henry has not met with rival clubs this year in what is a measure of his wish to stick with Geelong, having grown up barely a kilometre from Kardinia Park.
But Henry is committed to the Cats, where his brother Ollie is also ensconced, having crossed from Collingwood at the end of 2022 to play alongside Jack, who turns 26 in August and is an important component in the Geelong defence. Henry and young key defender Sam De Koning will take on the formidable Carlton duo of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay this Saturday without premier defender Tom Stewart.
Henry missed 12 games in 2023 after playing an important role in Geelong’s 2022 premiership and finishing second in the club best and fairest in 2021. He has played 124 games since debut in 2018.
