North Melbourne’s AFL assistance package has helped land the Kangaroos their first two trade targets.
Fremantle will send out-of-contract swingman Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker and a future third-round selection to North in return for future second-, third- and fourth-round picks.
The league granted the first two of those selections to the Roos in mid-September, enabling them to effectively score Logue and Tucker for free.
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The AFL is yet to announce the deal officially but News Corp has confirmed the trade details.
The Dockers also traded Blake Acres to Carlton for a future third-round pick and are now better armed to appease Melbourne in a megadeal for ruckman Luke Jackson, who requested a trade home to Western Australia.
Securing Jackson will likely require Fremantle to hand the Demons multiple first-round picks but the extra future second-round selection could also be crucial.
Logue, 24, will offer Ben McKay badly needed tall support down back and arrives on a five-year deal, while Tucker, 25, adds to his new club’s midfield depth.
There was a genuine race for Logue’s services but News Corp revealed three weeks ago that he wanted to play for North Melbourne.
Dockers list boss David Walls still held some hope as recently as Monday that they could change Logue’s mind, particularly with the uncertainty about Alastair Clarkson’s coaching future.
He was the No.8 pick in the 2016 draft and played 64 games for Fremantle but was squeezed out of the backline and instead used as a forward this year.
The Kangaroos’ ability to offer Logue a defined role alongside McKay in defence was a critical factor, as was a Zoom pitch from Clarkson.
Tucker was still contracted for another year but fell down the pecking order at Fremantle and will accept a three-year deal at North.
He had multiple suitors as well, including interest from Essendon, but felt the best opportunity to add to his 108 games was at Arden Street.
Tucker is recovering after suffering a torn meniscus in one of his knees in a WAFL match at the start of September.
