Melbourne great David Schwarz says North Melbourne could benefit from losing Daniel Wells

THE prospect of losing Daniel Wells to free agency could actually help North Melbourne fast-track its rebuild, according to David Schwarz.

Daniel Wells could be leaving North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

THE prospect of losing Daniel Wells to free agency could actually help North Melbourne fast-track its rebuild, according to former Melbourne forward David Schwarz.

Wells, 31, remains unsigned despite reportedly being offered a two-year deal worth $1.1m.

The Herald Sun reported on Sunday that Wells’ manager Liam Pickering would meet with the gun midfielder week to thrash out his future.

Wells is a free agent, meaning Collingwood does not have to give up anything to acquire his services.

“I would say that for North Melbourne that could be a positive more than a negative,” Schwarz said.

“If you are going to bottom out, if you are going to come back to down near the bottom and Daniel Wells might be one player where you can get some early picks and start to rebuild that list.

Daniel Wells could have played his last game for North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

“Is Daniel Wells worth that sort of money — I would say, no.”

Wells, who was among North’s best in Saturday night’s elimination final loss to Adelaide, has played 19 games this season, averaging 23 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s.

Last month North Melbourne made the bold decision to axe veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo as part of an “aggressive reset” looking to next year and beyond.

Wells is tight with the delisted quartet especially Petrie who he described as the “ultimate team player” during the year.

Wells got injured in Petrie’s 300th game but returned to the field in the closing stages to help North across the line against St Kilda.

“We were all going to work as hard as we could as a team for Drewie,” Wells told the Herald Sun in May.

“He is the ultimate team player. He has done so much for us and contributed so much to the team over the years ... he will be able to look back and say we got a win in his 300th game.”

Daniel Wells has reportedly being offered a two-year deal to stay at North Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

But Schwarz said the shock delistings last month shouldn’t impact on Wells’ decision.

“I think North Melbourne have been very good to Daniel Wells and I think Daniel Wells has served the North Melbourne Football Club very well also, I think it’s been a really good relationship, I would be bitterly for North Melbourne people if Daniel Wells walked out because he saw four players exited the way they were,” Schwarz told SEN.

“I think they’ve paid him really well, I think they’ve stuck with him through inconsistent form.

“I would hope that that relationship would go on, if it doesn’t go on, I think North Melbourne will be the winner out of it because they will pick up some early picks or an early pick.”

Originally published as Melbourne great David Schwarz says North Melbourne could benefit from losing Daniel Wells