How should North Melbourne attack a mid-season trade and draft period if it was happening this year?
NORTH Melbourne has already over-achieved in 2018. But if the Roos could top up their list now to make sure their September charge was a success, what would they do? Check out our mid-season trade guide.
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THE 2018 season has been nothing short of remarkable for the Kangaroos, who are undoubtedly the biggest surprise packet in the AFL.
But if they want to really cash in on all their hard work, topping up the list for a September run would be a must.
The days of having to wait until the end of the season to add that missing piece are almost over.
With a mid-season trade and draft period potentially set for 2019, we are analysing how key clubs should attack an exchange period, if it was happening right now.
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CLUB GUIDE: WHAT DOES BUCKY THINK OF YOUR CLUB?
From the deals that could catapult them up the ladder to the players who could be shipped out, here is your ultimate guide for the Kangaroos.
Who could be looking to move on?
After battling his way through a couple of tough years, North ruckman Todd Goldstein has once again found top form in 2018.
That has been great news for everyone at the Roos, except Braydon Preuss who has seen his senior opportunities dry up.
This time last year it looked as if Preuss was ready to make the first-choice ruck role his own. Now if he wants to do that it will need to be at another club.
With plenty of rivals searching for ruck depth, including the likes of GWS and Geelong, the Kangaroos would have no shortage of offers.
They would need to weigh up whether to risk sending Preuss to a club that they could possibly cross paths with in September.
Anyone leaving during a mid-season window would take plenty of game-plan knowledge with them.
Do the Roos need some Jarrad Waite insurance?
If Ben Brown doesn’t get you, Jarrad Waite will.
That has been the recipe for success on the North Melbourne forward line this season, with the two combining for 62 goals through the opening 13 games of the season.
But with Waite’s health once again under the microscope, adding a little bit of insurance up forward is the perfect way to exploit a mid-season trade period.
Carlton is a club that is looking to stockpile draft picks for a run at the upcoming Superdraft. The Kangaroos could make them an offer for Levi Casboult, with a view to using him as a second forward option once Waite retires.
With the big Blue recently dropped, both clubs could view it as a win-win.
Can they get Higgins more help?
Shaun Higgins is arguably the most improved player in the competition this year, taking his game from very good to Brownlow Medal worthy.
Any extra help they could bring in will allow Higgins to take his game even further this year and beyond.
Is it time to make a run at soon to be free agent Luke Dahlhaus?
The premiership player is yet to agree to terms on a new deal and if the Bulldogs feel they might lose him as a free agent in a few months, they could look to cash in with a better return now.
The Roos would just need to beat any potential compensation pick.
Who could they target in a mid-season draft?
North has already proven a great exponent of striking gold in the state leagues, plucking now Coleman Medal favourite Ben Brown from Werribee in 2013.
Can the Roos/Werribee double act strike again this year?
Josh Corbett is having a super year with the VFL outfit, booting 22 goals in nine matches.
However, it is his contested marking ability that will be really getting AFL clubs excited.
Corbett is a beast around the contest and has taken three or more contested marks seven times this year.
Where are the Roos’ free agents at?
The Roos have three players who are in the free agent mix this year.
Shaun Atley and the club have already put off contract negotiations until the end of the season, with both parties happy to evaluate where things are at then.
Scott Thompson was the last man offered a contract by the Roos in the off-season but he certainly isn’t playing like it. He has done more than enough to warrant a new deal in 2019.
Sam Wright is also a free agent at the end of the season. Within the club he is very highly regarded and after coming back from two years of ankle troubles, both parties are happy to let him ease back in before discussing new deals.
It would be unlikely North would have offers for any of these players good enough to move them on before a trade deadline.
However, the Roos are set to be strongly involved with rival clubs’ free agents.
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Originally published as How should North Melbourne attack a mid-season trade and draft period if it was happening this year?