Trade Daily: Jasper Pittard is confident he can regain form after trade to North Melbourne
NORTH Melbourne recruit Jasper Pittard has vowed to recapture his best form after the defender was included in a trade to North Melbourne with Jared Polec. Re-cap a busy day in the trade period here.
NORTH Melbourne recruit Jasper Pittard has vowed to recapture his best form after the defender was included in a two-prong trade to North Melbourne with Jared Polec.
The Herald Sun revealed Port Adelaide and the Kangaroos had settled on an exchange that saw the two Power line breakers and pick 48 sent to Victoria in exchange for North’s pick 11 and its 2019 fourth-round selection.
Dom Tyson is all but certain to join the Port pair at North in what will effectively be a straight swap for ruckman Braydon Preuss, who has interested Melbourne.
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Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall will also play under Brad Scott next year in what is becoming a bumper trade period for North Melbourne.
Pittard, holidaying in New York, said he could get back to the form that saw him named in the 2016 All-Australian squad of 40.
“I haven’t set the world on fire over the past two seasons, but I’m confident I can get back to my best at North,” Pittard said.
“North surprised a few people last year and I’ve always liked the way they’ve played. They play a tough and honest brand, which I really like.”
Polec’s acceptance of the Roos’ $3.5 million, five-year offer was widely expected and he brings speed and class to his new club after a scintillating run of form to end the 2018 season.
But Pittard’s involvement caught many by surprise. The 27-year-old told the North Melbourne website the move came at the right time despite having two years to run on his contract at Port.
“Over the past few years when my contracts have been up for discussion, North have always been in the conversation and had always inquired about my movements,” he said.
“This time around I was looking for a club back home and North was a great fit.
“Their continued interest in me over the years, obviously made me feel good about them too.”
North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce said Pittard filled a “a little bit of a weakness” on the club’s list.
“We’ve been looking through this period for a half-back flanker and a guy who can run and carry and kick the footy,” Joyce said.
“We think Jasper, if we can get him back to the form of a couple of years ago when he was in the All Australian 40, can be a pretty handy player for us.”
It’s understood Tyson has agreed to a three-year contract at North, while Preuss will sign on for four years at Melbourne.
Tyson played 17 games for the Demons this year, including all three finals, but has grown frustrated at the lack of opportunity in an inside midfielder role. Preuss has played only eight senior games in three years
A shuffling of picks will also form part of the Tyson-Preuss trade.
North Melbourne also sanctioned the trade of midfielder Ryan Clarke, with the midfielder moving to Sydney in exchange for pick 61 which the Swans got from Geelong for Gary Rohan.
Port Adelaide now holds picks 10, 11, 23, 30, 49 and 84 in next month’s national draft and could yet end up with the Western Bulldogs’ pick 7 if Chad Wingard is traded to Whitten Oval.
Originally published as Trade Daily: Jasper Pittard is confident he can regain form after trade to North Melbourne