North Melbourne in strong position to land elite midfielder after building huge war chest

NORTH Melbourne has defied expectations this season but what’s more remarkable is the Roos are spending the bare minimum of their salary cap, putting them in a strong position to land an elite midfielder.

Paul Ahern starred in his senior debut. Picture: Getty Images

NORTH Melbourne has spent the bare minimum of its salary cap this season, adding clout to its remarkable surge in 2018.

The Herald Sun understands the Kangaroos have spent 95 per cent of their $12.45 million salary cap this year, putting the club in a stronger position to add top-line talent in the October trade period.

The Roos narrowly missed out on superstars Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly last year, but have surprised the competition in 2018 with seven wins from their first 11 games, ahead of Saturday’s clash against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

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An upset victory over Geelong could elevate the rebuilding Kangas into the top four ahead of their bye next weekend and defy expectations Brad Scott’s men were bound for the bottom four this year.

Whereas the Roos are spending 95 per cent of their salary cap, premiership heavyweights Geelong, Richmond and Greater Western Sydney are known to be operating at near capacity.

Under new footy boss Cameron Joyce, the Roos are hoping to land another big fish midfielder or multiple new players in this year’s exchange period, using money it has saved by under spending in 2017-18.

Jack Ziebell’s Roos are on the brink of the top four. Picture: Getty Images

It means the Roos — who have heavily front-ended some of its senior stars’ contracts to create more flexibility — are in an extremely strong position to land a seven-figure star such as Kelly, GWS Giants teammate Dylan Shiel or West Coast running machine Andrew Gaff.

AFL rules permit clubs to spend a maximum of 105 per cent of the salary cap in any year using money that has been “banked” in the previous two years.

The five per cent saving on this year’s salary cap allows the Roos to use the $650,000 boost for next year, if required.

The Roos have been widely linked to West Coast star defender Jeremy McGovern but the Herald Sun understands the club has not made a pitch to land him and are instead focused on adding extra midfield talent.

Coach Brad Scott said the club would be very selective after landing bargain-based midfield top-ups Paul Ahern (pick No.69) and Billy Hartung (No.77) over the past two seasons.

The Kangaroos could pursue West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff. Picture: AAP

Ahern had 29 possessions in his senior debut for North in the thumping win over Brisbane last weekend, while Hartung has averaged 19 disposals across all 11 games.

“We’re very clear on the type of players we need to complement our current list, so if we identify that player, we’ll go as hard as we possibly can for them,” Scott said.

“But if not, we’re happy to continue to develop our list because we know we have some talented players.”

The Roos last year sought — and received — board approval to poach Martin and Kelly last year. And the club is expected to continue its aggressive list strategy to help fast-track its rebuild this post-season. They also targeted Collingwood line breaker Adam Treloar and Sydney Swans’ jet Isaac Heeney.

Industry sources have told the Herald Sun Kelly, 23, and Shiel, 25, are both expected to finish their AFL careers in Victoria. They are out of contract next season when Shiel will also qualify for restricted free agency after eight years with the Giants.

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