North Melbourne are set to renew their quest to land a ‘big fish’ once again after links to a star veteran Eagles midfielder.
North Melbourne are set to offer Elliot Yeo a “big offer” to draw him out of Western Australia, according to The Age’s Caroline Wilson.
Yeo comes out of contract at the end of 2024 as a restricted free agent and is expected to be one of the biggest names on the market this off-season.
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“I understand the offer is at least three years and it’s a big offer,” Wilson said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.
“We’ve heard Alastair Clarkson say that they need an experienced older midfielder to help that young midfield.
“We know that North have gone for some big fish in the last ten years, Dustin Martin, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kelly, this could be their best chance yet.”
Wilson also named Geelong and Adelaide as potential suitors for the reborn Eagle.
“We know that Adelaide have made a big offer… Geelong have showed interest as well but he could be heading to Arden Street next year,” she said.
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Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes wasn’t sure it was the right move for Alastair Clarkson’s rebuilding side.
“It’s a big story, the attraction is you don’t have to give a draft pick up to get him, but my concern would be that they’ve got enough midfielders, and he turns 31 in October and hasn’t played 20 or more games since 2019, the body is an issue,” Cornes said.
“If he’s fit and what he’s done for Harley Reid, he’s been in and under helping Harley Reid out and off the ball as well, if you can get him fit, absolutely.
“I wonder for him; the attraction is clearly the money and security but another midfielder at 31 with his durability would be my question and North fans I think would question that as well.”
Co-panellist Craig Hutchinson said he thinks Yeo should make the move to Arden Street.
“That’s his move, he should take that. It’s tremendous money by all reports and it’s good tenure and he can play and influence,” he said.
But Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd thinks Yeo should chase success over financial gain.
“If I’m Elliot Yeo I’m trying to get to a club in Melbourne that can play in a premiership,” he said.
Hutchinson replied: “Geelong would probably be half the money you’d think, wouldn’t it?”
“I’m not sure, it depends on what he wants to get out of the rest of his career.”
Yeo played in West Coast’s 2018 premiership triumph and is a dual All-Australian having won two club Best and Fairests during his time in the West.
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