We are in absolutely no position to be gambling a first round selection on a young fella with concussion issues unfortunately.Trade preview: Where key targets sit, Roos’ triple play, Tigers’ haul
North Melbourne is eyeing a bumper triple play in this year’s trade period to help the club rise up in Alastair Clarkson’s third year as coach.
The Kangaroos spoke with Western Bulldogs’ playmaker Caleb Daniel last week and are expected to land Sydney Swans’ veteran Luke Parker, 31, and West Coast forward Jack Darling, 32, next month.
Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston is also on the Kangaroos’ radar, however the dual All-Australian may yet nominate Carlton as his preferred new ho
me.
Daniel, 28, is yet to decide whether he will pursue a move from the kennel, following jet ballwinners Bailey Smith (Geelong) and Jack Macrae (St Kilda) out the door.
Daniel is expected to make a call on his future this week after talks with the Kangaroos on their vision for the next few seasons and the Dogs about his spot in the side.
The Dogs could demand a second-round pick for Daniel who played 16 games this year including his best performances in the last three games of the season.
In particular, Daniel’s excellent kicking skills would help North’s ball movement in the back half and middle part of the ground after 10 years at the Dogs
North would be thrilled to land Daniel and Parker to bolster their contested ball winning and ball movement, while Darling would allow gun tall Charlie Comben to stay in defence.
But the Dogs would hold the upper hand in any trade talks on Daniel’s future as he is contracted on a deal worth about $700,000 until the end of 2026.
The Dogs can also afford to keep Daniel, who is a popular team member, as the departures of Smith and Macrae clear up significant salary cap space for the club.
The Kangaroos also have significant salary cap room and want some top-line established talent to help the club lift out of the AFL doldrums after years at the bottom.
Parker, who played a defensive forward role on star Lion Harris Andrews in the grand final, is expected to depart the Swans following an exit meeting with the club over the next two days.
His toughness, consistency, leadership and experience are being targeted by North on a lucrative multi-year deal while Darling could help Nick Larkey in attack.
Parker spent the start of the season on the sidelines after a pre-season injury and had to bide his time in the VFL and will face a significant fight to secure a spot in the Swans’ senior side next year.
Teammate Taylor Adams was also left out of the premiership decider and is intent on breaking back into the seniors after his trade from Collingwood last year.
The Kangaroos could land Darling and Parker with late third and fourth-round picks, but would have to part with a top 25 pick to land the contracted Daniel.
Clarkson’s men have pick number two in the draft and are considering splitting that selection for two later choices in the first round.
The Roos have been linked to the best defender in this year’s draft class, Luke Trainor, who has family links to North Melbourne and is a keen Roos’ fan.
He is expected to be taken late in the first 10 selections, meaning the Roos could slide back from pick two to take him and have another late first-round pick to trade.
North Melbourne was interested in Melbourne hard nut Jack Viney but the Demon decided to stay, meaning the Roos set their sights on Parker.
Smith is expected to nominate Geelong as his preferred new home this week.
The Cats are also eyeing Jack Martin, from Carlton, is holidaying on Gold Coast amid interest from Fremantle as well.
Martin is set to decide on his new club this week amid frustrations with the way his injuries were managed at the Blues this year.