North Melbourne are eyeing a pair of veterans as the club seeks to make a 2025 finals push.
Plus, how the Tigers could take an “unprecedented” set of picks into this year’s national draft amid a mass player exodus.
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ROOS EYE RAIDS FOR VETERANS AMID 2025 FINALS PUSH
North Melbourne are eyeing off a pair of veterans as they look to capitalise on some strong form in recent times to launch themselves back into the finals conversation.
The Roos have turned the corner in recent weeks, finally showing signs of regeneration as they look to emerge from a grim period languishing in the doldrums at the bottom of the ladder.
Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark believes Alastair Clarkson wants to replicate what he did at Hawthorn, where his side won four games at the end of the year before playing finals the following season.
“He’s got similar ambitions, this will make all North Melbourne fans very excited,” Clark began on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.
“They think there’s some chance that they could build, finish this season strong and make finals next year,” he said.
The Roos have identified their backline as an area for improvement and Clark flagged two targets who the Roos have set their sights on.
“There’s some key parts missing, an intercepting defender North Melbourne have got their eye on, they have some interest in Richmond defender Nathan Broad,” he said.
“They pay him decent money, a longer term contract but I expect Broad to show enormous amount of loyalty and stay at Richmond, but they’ve had a crack at him.”
Clark also named Giants veteran Nick Haynes as a player the Roos might target.
“Nick Haynes at GWS is another name that’s been raised. Out of contract, expect Nick Haynes to come back to Victoria at the end of the year,” he said.
“The backlines still vulnerable, they’re not making finals with the back line as is, that has to be bolstered and I feel like that will be the big play for the Kangaroos.”
If one or both of Broad and Haynes could be lured, that would give Clarkson plenty of options to spin the magnets with his tall stocks.
Charlie Comben has put his injury concerns behind him to carve out a role in defence, while youngster Wil Dawson is highly regarded as well.
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TIGERS CAN LAND SIX TOP 20 PICKS
Richmond could be set to take a bumper draft haul into this year’s national draft as a mass exodus looms.
Four established Tigers stars have been linked to moves away from Punt Road but that might not necessarily a bad thing.
“They could have as many as six first round draft picks,” Clark said.
“When you take out the expansion clubs in GWS and Gold Coast, this is almost an unprecedented draft haul and the decisions that list boss Blair Hartley is going to make on this will really shape this rebuild.”
Clark proposed the following deals:
Liam Baker to Fremantle for pick 13
Jack Graham to West Coast, triggering pick 20 compensation
Daniel Rioli to Gold Coast for pick 6
Shai Bolton to Fremantle for picks 8 and 16
“They would be striking while the iron is hot, knowing Tasmania is coming into the competition in a couple of years, potentially Richmond can get this rebuild done and get that next core in,” he said.
If the Tigers were to “press the go button” on the above deals, they’d take a bounty of picks into the draft.
The Tigers would hold picks 1, 6, 8, 13, 19, 20, 31 in addition to three third round selections and three fourth round selections, that they could potentially package and trade to Carlton or Brisbane (who need points for father-son recruits).
“I’d do it in a heartbeat, you mentioned the key word, Tasmania, that’s the absolute key at the moment. We’re in a situation now that everything is going to change in a few years time,” Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane replied.
“You’re not sure whether these players down the track are going to be worth the same in 12 months’ time.
It would no doubt be an “uncomfortable conversation” for head coach Adem Yze and his recruitment and list management staff, but it might be the best way for the Tigers to move forwar.d
Both Geelong and Hawthorn used similar tactics to set up their golden eras in recent years.
In 2001, the Cats secured Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly, Steve Johnson and Gary Ablett Jnr, while Hawthorn took Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Jordan Lewis in 2004.
“You’ve got to bear the brunt and get on with the rebuild as quickly as you can,” McFarlane said.
Source Agencies
