North Melbourne could trade Shaun Higgins to secure another prized top draft pick this year
North Melbourne has had five top 10 picks in the past 12 national drafts. If the club wants to fast track its rebuild, trading out its big name stars is the answer. But who could go and which clubs will swoop?
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It’s a reflection on how much things have suddenly changed at North Melbourne.
Imagine saying to Shaun Higgins at the start of the season there was a chance he could be considering moving to a third club in October.
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Huh? Back-to-back best and fairests, an All-Australian last year, the Kangaroos’ best ball-user, and vice-captain, Higgins was close to the club’s most important cog.
Arden St would have felt as homely as his grandmother’s house these past few years since leaving the Bulldogs as a free agent.
But right now he is in the dark about his future, as the Roos wait to consult their next coach before the club decides how to best reposition its list.
The Kangas are undertaking “a strategic shift,” as former coach Brad Scott put it.
What that means specifically we won’t know until the new boss has his say.
But of all the list conundrums facing North Melbourne, Higgins’ situation is one of the most fascinating over the back half of the season.
He’s a gun, Higgins. A midfield jet who still cops the weekly tag.
The Geelong Falcons product has averaged 31 disposals and 10 contested possessions a game this season.
But what if Geelong or Hawthorn, or any other club in premiership contention, was willing to part with a second-round selection (like the Cats gave up for Gary Ablett at the same age) for the classy ball-user?
Or even the means to upgrade the Roos’ first pick (currently No. 5) into the top-two to land one of the outstanding midfield talents Matthew Rowell or Noah Anderson?
Geelong will likely need a midfield replacement for Tim Kelly and have been linked to Saint Jack Steven. The Hawks are also masters at this stuff.
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And the Giants are confident Stephen Coniglio will stay.
For North Melbourne, it feels like all things will be considered by a club which has had only five top-10 picks in the last 12 national drafts.
They need more Sam Walsh types, some young stars who will mature into 200-game pillars.
Higgins turns 32 in March, and has showed no signs of slowing down so far this season.
He’s surely got three more good years left in him, and could capitalise like Ablett in the front half if he moves into more of a forward role.
Facing a similar situation last year, former Carlton captain Marc Murphy made the loyal call to stay at Ikon Park this season, and you admire him for it.
But the Blues are in a big pickle, now.
Carlton say they needed Murphy to stay for leadership and culture and to teach the youngsters and you would understand if the Roos wanted to keep Higgins for the same reasons.
But the Roos don’t have all the top-end talent that Carlton does.
If North’s new coach said the club would release Higgins for the right price, the midfielder could chase a premiership elsewhere.
A flag is probably out of the Kangas’ clutches over the next few years, as they look to net more elite young talent as part of the next phase of the rebuild.
It could be a mutually-beneficial parting. An unexpected one.
But possibly the right one.
WHO COULD NORTH MELBOURNE TRADE?
SHAUN HIGGINS, 31
Geelong would be a snug fit, while Hawthorn wants to bolster its midfield. North’s best player would surely attract a top-25 pick on the trade table.
BEN BROWN, 26
Something has been missing in Melbourne’s forward half this season. Tom McDonald could do with another marking partner, and Brown is one of the league’s best. But would the Demons give up their first-round pick?
BEN CUNNINGTON, 27
Fifth in the AFLCA awards, Cunnington is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Probably has the most currency but would be the least likely of the Roos’ senior core to want to switch clubs.
TODD GOLDSTEIN, 30
Essendon is the club on the lookout for more ruck support and, as a free agent, the Bombers would not have to give up anything at the trade table. A decent deal could earn the Roos second-round draft compensation.
ROBBIE TARRANT, 30
The Roos are already struggling for key position depth so would be reluctant to part with Tarrant unless it was an outstanding deal.
JACK ZIEBELL, 28
North Melbourne captain would be a long-shot to depart.
Originally published as North Melbourne could trade Shaun Higgins to secure another prized top draft pick this year
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