AFL Draft news: North Melbourne consider splitting pick 2 and trading future-first round pick

North Melbourne could take a huge risk in a deal that would see their future-first round pick owned by a rival club. JON RALPH looks at the Kangaroos’ options.

North Melbourne is considering offers for its No.2 pick and its future first-round selection but says securing a pair of key talls in last year’s draft means it will not “overstretch” to find a key forward in next week’s national draft.

The Roos have pick two and a pair of selections in the 60s to take to the national draft and are keen to take three national draft picks to continue to bolster their young talent.

It means the Roos seem certain to make moves to secure another early selection in the top 20 given their only quality pick is the No.2 overall selection.

The Tigers could be interested in moving up to pick two but not in a deal that sees them give up two top 12 selections for that pick alone.

Clubs are also keen to assess the worth of North Melbourne’s future first-rounder, which is likely to be a top-five pick.

CHECK BACK TOMORROW MORNING FOR JON RALPH’S TAKE ON NORTH MELBOURNE’S FULL DRAFT STRATEGY, LIST HOLES AND PREDICTIONS FOR 2025.

North Melbourne General Manager of Football Todd Viney believes the Roos will be making moves before the end of draft night. Picture: Michael Klein

Viney said that the Roos knew the risks of handing over a future first-rounder but have maximum flexibility given they have retained their entire 2025 draft hand.

“We are keen to have at least three picks in the draft,” he said.

“We might end up holding one list spot over. We can trade up until the night.

“We have got pick two and there is interest in that. We have still got a full hand of futures.

“There are still opportunities to look at how we can improve this year’s draft hand.

“If we can get in we will but we have to have the right opportunity in front of us.

“Brady (Rawlings) is in constant communication with other teams and lists and we think something will unfold but we will wait and see.

“The whole thing around futures is you don’t exactly know where it’s going to be. At the moment (the future first-rounder) would look attractive to some clubs

“It is a tough competition and it’s hard to improve but we want to win more games.

“You don’t know where it will end up but our future first would look attractive to some clubs who want to look at it.”

The Roos believe Caleb Daniel’s introduction at half back will at times release Colby McKercher into the midfield, with second-year top 25 pick Riley Hardeman to be given chances on the wing.

Caleb Daniel on the track for the Roos. Picture: Michael Klein

Ex-Sydney small forward Jacob Konstanty comes with few wraps but the club loved his junior NAB League season before he was taken at pick 20 and believes the hard-tackling pressure forward fills a critical need.

The Roos recruited 207cm ruck-defender Taylor Goad and 200cm swingman Will Dawson in last year’s draft.

While it would surprise if they did not find a way to take a key forward in this year’s draft, Viney said the club wasn’t prepared to go away from its draft order in a desperate bid to find support for Nick Larkey.

“It’s important you don’t try to overreach and look for the needs. We did go pretty heavy last year with those picks and we went early to get the likes of Goad and Dawson,” he said.

“We think talls are hard to come by and sometimes your picks don’t align with that you want so you have to weigh it up. There are some nice looking talls but whether its at pick two, we will have to wait and see. There is outstanding talent all-round.”