Shaun Atley Biography

Shaun Atley turns his back on free agency after signing a new three-year deal with North Melbourne to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

Atley said there had been offers from rival clubs, but he told his manager Alex McDonald he didn't want to know too much about them.

"The way the club is going definitely played a role in me wanting to stay. I suppose after playing in two prelims over years, just to have that taste of finals, it makes you more determined than ever," he said.

"I want to achieve the ultimate success and I think what they are building at North shows that hopefully we are capable of that."

James Sicily will miss Hawthorn's round six clash against St Kilda after pleading guilty to a serious misconduct charge.

Sicily was referred directly to the Tribunal for standing on North Melbourne forward Shaun Atley's lower leg at Etihad Stadium.

"(I'm) disappointed in myself that I guess I've done an undisciplined act and that's something that I need to get out of my game," Sicily said.

"It's definitely something I've learned from this whole experience."

Sicily's legal representative, Peter O'Farrell, had earlier told the Tribunal his client had been "admonished" by Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson and football manager Graham Wright for his lack of discipline.

"Like me they were disappointed in what happened with my actions, but they've still got my back in a sense and they still want me to do well," an emotional Sicily said after the hearing.

Shaun Atley is preparing for a full season in the forward line in 2018.

"I probably just have a greater understanding on how to play as a forward," Atley said.

"It's high work-rate and it's get up the ground and help the defence, then get back.

"Having that second half of the year last year to actually play up forward in games, then focus on it in (pre-season) training, has been good."

Shaun Atley signs a new three-year deal with North Melbourne that will keep him at the club until the end of 2018.

It's obviously good to be re-signed for another three years, the club's entering an exciting time so it's good to be part of it," Atley said.

Brent Harvey nominates two young Kangaroos in Ben Cunnington and Shaun Atley to step up in 2014.

"They've taken the next step. Their training has been absolutely elite," Harvey said.

"I think they're just starting to recognise now their position in the football club - not just a player trying to get a game every week.

"Their leadership has been taken to the next level and I think that's where we're going to get our improvement from, those type of guys."

Shaun Atley has blossomed as a half-back, but North Melbourne may decide it's time to unleash the pacy youngster in its midfield.

"I suppose it's a goal [to move into the midfield], but it's a long-term goal, there's no rush," Atley said.

"Personally, I have the coaches to thank for moving me to half-back after I'd played mostly on the wing in my first season.

"I felt more comfortable there, as I'd played most of my junior footy at half-back and just being able to run and dash from there was good."

North Melbourne line-breaker Shaun Atley says he will sign a new contract with the Roos as soon as he sees one.

"There's no rush because we've obviously got plenty of time to finalise things," Atley said.

"But I'm very happy here and don't see myself anywhere else but North. If they put a contract in front of me, I'll be happy to sign it."

After playing most of 2011 on the wing, Shaun Atley has spent much of the pre-season with North Melbourne's defensive group.

"As a junior, I played mostly in the backline, but it was all attacking, no defence," Atley said.

"What I've tried to work on this pre-season is my spoiling and defensive positioning. Playing against the bigger bodies in the AFL, your body positioning is vital - you just get chopped up if you don't get that right.

"But the work I've done has helped me here and, hopefully, I can play down back this year."

North Melbourne midfielder Shaun Atley made the big move from the Murray Bushrangers to the Kangaroos last year and he hasn't missed a game since.

"It's hard when you've got to go out there and play against blokes you have always idolised through junior footy," Atley said.

"But I've found after a couple of games you realise, they're only other blokes, so you try not to get too daunted by it."

Shaun Atley makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne with 13 disposals (5 kicks and 8 handballs), a mark and 2 tackles in a 4-point loss to West Coast.

North Melbourne draft highly-rated Murray Bushrangers midfielder Shaun Atley in the 2010 national draft despite having minimal contact with him.

"When it became apparent that maybe the top 10 draft order might change, we just had to cover those bases," North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said.

"We rated him so highly that we didn't think he'd be available."