North Melbourne is reportedly pursuing West Coast’s No. 1 overall draft pick in order to sign consensus top prospect Harley Reid.
According to AFL Media, the Roos are interested in the Eagles’ Pick 1, with North now possessing Picks 2, 14, and 19, as well as three extra first-round picks next year, thanks to the AFL’s assistance package.
The Roos gained two extra first-round picks for 2024 with the provision that they might be revalued next year based on the club’s ladder position, thus incentivizing North to transfer the picks immediately.
North is also set to receive first-round compensation — likely Pick 3 — for Ben McKay’s looming free agency departure to Essendon.
According to the Herald Sun, North is “certain” to trade its two end-of-first round picks next year to put it in pole position of any club to acquire Pick 1. It’s expected the Eagles would only part ways with the prized selection if they get Pick 2 so they can land top West Australian prospect Daniel Curtin.
The report also states, given the Roos’ strong draft hand, they could also make a play for the Suns’ opening pick — currently No. 4 — set to move back pending the McKay compensation.
The Arden Street-based club would need to trump the Western Bulldogs’ current offer for Gold Coast’s pick though, currently offering picks 10, 17 and a future first-rounder in exchange for that Pick 4 and a future third-rounder.
CLAUSE LIKELY TO SEE KING STAY A SUN
Set to (again) be one of the most sought after stars eligible to hit the market, a stipulation in Sun Ben King’s contract could see him recommit to the club.
According to SEN’s Tom Morris, King, who’s out of contract at the end of next season, has a clause in deal — signed last year — put in by his management, Connor Sports, which would allow him to extend it through to 2026 and take him through to free agency.
Morris noted King wouldn’t need to hit any contract triggers to activate the clause and that the Suns are confident the 23-year old key forward would re-sign in the coming months as the team prepares for life under Damien Hardwick.
“Think of this as a lesser version of Josh Kelly’s arrangement with GWS, which was two years with the option of an additional eight if they chose to activate it,” Morris said on AFL Trade Radio.
“This was just two more, with an additional two if he chose to activate … it’s different to a trigger because he doesn’t need to hit any markers to get there.
“All that needs to happen is King, his management and the club need to agree to activate it and he‘ll simply continue at the club until the end of 2026.”
King headlines a crop of star forwards including Western Bulldogs’ Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Aaron Naughton and Port Adelaide’s Todd Marshall set to come out of contract next year.
The Gold Coast spearhead has long been the subject of trade rumours and linked to a return to Victoria — most recently Hawthorn and Collingwood. His twin brother Max in 2021 signed a four-year deal with St Kilda until 2026.
NAUGHTON ‘100 PER CENT’ STAYING AT DOGS
Aaron Naughton is also due to come out of contract in 2024, but according to his manager, the Western Bulldogs star forward isn’t going anywhere.
Naughton’s agent, Andrew McDougall from Corporate Sports Australia, confirmed that, despite interest from clubs this off-season, the 23-year old would remain at Whitten Oval.
Despite his contract expiring next year, the West Australian isn’t yet eligible for free agency
“I can absolutely confirm he is not moving this year,” McDougall told AFL Media’s Gettable.
“Clearly, clubs are acting responsibly. They need to call and everything, and I’d do the same if I were a list manager, but Aaron has committed to the club for next year. He’s a contracted player who will undoubtedly return to the Bulldogs next season.”
Next year looks to be a huge one for the Bulldogs, with teammates Tim English, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, and Bailey Smith all likely to be released, but only English may become a free agent.