North Melbourne veterans Jarrad Waite and Scott Thompson forced to wait on new deals
VETERAN North Melbourne bookends Scott Thompson and Jarrad Waite have been told their futures won’t be determined until after October’s trade period.
VETERAN bookends Scott Thompson and Jarrad Waite have been told their North Melbourne futures won’t be determined until after the trade period.
Thompson and Waite, who were also made to sweat through last year’s exchange before signing one-year deals, have been told there are no guarantees.
It means that if the duo ultimately aren’t retained for 2019, there will be no farewell game to mark the Roos’ last regular season match against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on August 26.
FREE AGENT: ROOS’ HUGE OFFER WON’T SWAY GAFF
SCOTT: HORROR 30 MINUTES COST KANGAS FINALS
TEAMS: SEE ALL THE INS AND OUTS IN ROUND 22
While the situation evokes memories of Brent Harvey forcing the Roos to make a call before the last home and away game of 2016, Waite, 35, and Thompson, 32 accept the club’s position.
“Contract talks will take place during the trade period of thereafter,” Thompson’s manager Anthony McConville said.
“Of course, we would all like to know Scott’s position, but in today’s football and the way clubs deal in list management, it becomes a timing issue.”
A cashed-up North Melbourne is desperate to land outside class in this year’s exchange window to match its inside ball winners.
The Roos have been linked to the likes of Andrew Gaff, Jared Polec, Aaron Hall and Shaun Atley’s brother Joe at Port Adelaide.
The Herald Sun understands that Waite and Thompson are more likely to play on if North can acquire established talent from rival clubs.
If they miss their targets, it is expected that the veteran pair will be told to make way for the next generation.
Nick Larkey has played only two senior games since being taken as a speculative pick two years ago, but the key forward is leading the VFL goalkicking.
Ed Vickers-Willis was in May ruled out for the season with a PCL injury, but at 22, has shown promise in defence.
Sam Durdin (nine games) and Ben McKay (one) would also relish the extra opportunities.
North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce last month said Thompson and Waite have had “excellent seasons”.
“Obviously ‘Waitey’ has been injured for the last little piece, but both of them have had a significant impact for us this year,” Joyce told the AFL website.
“One of the big things around them staying on was not just their form, but also their ability to help and nurture some of our younger, developing talls, which they’ve done a fantastic job with.
“So there’s always a balance. You can’t continue (progressing to) being super young, but at the same time you’ve got to keep the balance right. The older teams predominantly over the course of the last 10 years are the better teams in the competition, so there is definitely a factor in age and maturity on your list.”
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as North Melbourne veterans Jarrad Waite and Scott Thompson forced to wait on new deals