Daniel Nielson Biography

Billy Hartung, Tom Jeffries, Oscar Junker, Gordon Narrier, Daniel Nielson, and Josh Williams are told by North Melbourne that they won't be offered new contracts for 2019 and beyond.

Daniel Nielson signs a one-year deal with North Melbourne, tying him to the club until the end of 2018.

"It's nice to know the club want me there and sees me there in the future," Nielson said.

Daniel Nielson is stretchered off in the opening quarter against St Kilda after being concussed at Etihad Stadium.

The 21-year-old came off second best in a marking contest when St Kilda forward Josh Bruce's knee accidentally made contact with his head.

Play came to a halt for five minutes, as medical staff assessed Nielson and immediately placed a neck brace on him as a precaution.

He was eventually carted off the ground by the motorised stretcher and taken down into the rooms.

Daniel Nielson makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium with 15 disposals (7 kicks and 8 handballs), 4 marks and a tackle in a 4-point loss to Fremantle.

Daniel Nielson will make his long-awaited AFL debut this week for North Melbourne against the Dockers after being taken by the Kangaroos at pick No.25 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

Daniel Nielson has received a welcome boost as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction, with the first-year key defender re-signing with North Melbourne to the end of 2017.

"It was a bit frustrating to do all the hard work in the pre-season and just be coming up to the fun stuff and then do my knee," Nielson said.

"It's really nice that the club sees something in me and for them to give me that extra year is a great support and reassurance.

"I guess it shows a bit of faith in my ability and it's a bit like they're saying, 'We've got your back and we believe in you.'

"It's really nice to have that support. It gives me that reassurance for next year and the year after to come back and give it my best."

Daniel Nielson will miss the entire 2015 season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament and will require a full knee reconstruction.

"It's extremely unfortunate for Daniel and we will be supporting him throughout his rehabilitation and ensuring he comes back bigger and stronger for the 2016 season," football director Geoff Walsh said.

North Melbourne draftee Daniel Nielson says he's confident swinging between defence and attack, but realises the club sees him as a last-line key defender.

"I'm really hard in the contest, I'm such a competitive person," Nielson said.

"I hate being beaten, so that sort of correlates to that backman (focus) of being on your man."

North Melbourne selects Daniel Nielson with pick No.16 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

"We see Daniel as a last-line defender," Kangaroos recruiting manager Bryce Lewis said.

"He's strong, he's powerful. He's got good closing speed and he's a genuine competitor.

"Daniel is your lock-down, deep defender, who kills the contest."