Paul Ahern Biography

Following a disastrous 2020 campaign where the Kangaroos finished second-last on the ladder, North Melbourne begins a savage cull of its list with eleven players delisted.

Leadership group members Jamie Macmillan and Jasper Pittard are among them, while Majak Daw's incredible comeback from serious injuries sustained two years ago looks over.

Ben Jacobs, Paul Ahern, Mason Wood, Sam Durdin, Marley Williams, Joel Crocker, Lachie Hosie, and Tom Murphy round out the Kangaroos' delistings.

Paul Ahern caps his successful return from two knee reconstructions by re-signing with North Melbourne until the end of 2020.

"Obviously it's really exciting. I'm keen to be here for another two years and I think the way we're playing at the moment, we can really go places in the next two years and beyond," Ahern said.

Dual knee victim Paul Ahern has pledged to repay North Melbourne's extraordinary faith in him after a his 29-possession debut at Etihad Stadium.

"I obviously took the long road to get here, but to get a win with the boys is unreal," he said.

"I was a bit surprised (to have so many disposals). I would have been happy if I had two touches, to be honest.

"I'm just happy to get out there playing with the boys and on such a special occasion, with my indigenous background, and I did my family and friends and the indigenous communities really proud."

Paul Ahern makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium with 29 disposals (13 kicks and 16 handballs), 4 marks and 3 tackles in a 54-point win over Brisbane.

Paul Ahern will make his AFL debut this week, 1285 days and 2 knee reconstructions since he was drafted in 2014.

"There were some dark days in rehab, but I think having to wait all those years to finally play my first game and then to get the call-up while the team is going so well – I'm over the moon and stoked to be a part of it," Ahern said.

Paul Ahern is on track to return for the 2018 pre-season as he recovers from his second knee reconstruction.

"I've been doing a lot of change-of-direction and a bit of volume running just to try and keep up my fitness going into the pre-season," Ahern said.

"I'm starting to feel really confident on my knee, it's probably the best I've felt over the journey, so I'm looking forward to being fit to go on day one of pre-season."

Paul Ahern is traded to North Melbourne by GWS in exchange for pick No. 69 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft.

Ahern, 20, has had his right knee reconstructed twice this year.

His most recent operation was in September, and North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce said the Victorian was likely to miss the entire 2017 season.

"He's still got some rehabilitation with his knee to get over next year but we're taking a longer-term view with Paul," Joyce said.

"We've had doctors check that out thoroughly and we're certainly happy to take that on … and we can look at a start in 2018."

Paul Ahern will spend a second straight season on the sidelines after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the second time this year.

Ahern hasn't played a game at any level this season after rupturing his ACL in a training drill in February.

The 20-year-old suffered the same fate on Wednesday morning, as the Giants trained behind closed doors at ANZ Stadium in preparation for their qualifying final clash with the Sydney Swans this week.

It's believed the injury occurred during a standard training exercise, but scans revealed the worst possible news.

Paul Ahern looks set to miss the entire 2016 season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament at training.

GWS head of athletic performance David Joyce said Ahern would meet with a knee specialist this week.

"We’re all really disappointed for Paul, who’s had a great pre-season and was progressing really well," Joyce said.

"We’ve got Paul’s long-term welfare as our first thought so we'll now look to determine the best course of action to ensure he can return stronger than ever."

Paul Ahern signs a new one-year deal with GWS that will see him remain at the club until the end of 2017.

"Paul has settled in well at the Giants and played his best NEAFL game yet on the weekend," GWS football manager Graeme Allen said.

"He's been impressive since arriving at the club late last year and is working well with the midfield group.

"We see him having a bright future here at the Giants."

GWS select Paul Ahern with pick No.7 at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"He's got some speed," Giants list manager Stephen Silvagni said.

"He's a real quality player, good ball user, can kick goals and he's another one that can run-and-carry. The speed was a need for our list."