North Melbourne is hunting outside run this off-season and have been linked to an out-of-favour top-five pick playing interstate.
Plus Sydney confirms it would consider Brodie Grundy should the Melbourne ruckman be on the market.
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NORTH KEEN ON OUT-OF-FAVOUR TOP-5 PICK
North Melbourne is considering a move for Sydney’s Dylan Stephens this off-season, reports The Herald Sun.
The 22-year-old has pushed back contract talks until after the season as he weighs up greater opportunities elsewhere.
Stephens was selected with Pick 5 in the star-studded 2019 draft, playing the second-fewest games among the top 15 picks, behind only retired No.6 pick Fischer McAsey.
With just 41 career games over four seasons, including 11 this year, the South Australian is viewed as gettable and could suit the Kangaroos’ needs.
While they have bolstered their inside midfield brigade in recent years they’re seeking another wingman to partner with Bailey Scott.
The Kangaroos currently have picks 2, 16, 39, 53 and 59 to use in a potential trade.
SWANS CONFIRM POTENTIAL GRUNDY INTEREST
Long-time Sydney list boss Kinnear Beatson says any club “would be mad not to look at Brodie Grundy” if the Melbourne ruckman is once again on the market.
In his first year at the Demons after a shock move from Collingwood, the former All-Australian has fallen out of favour, returning to the senior side for Round 22’s loss to Carlton effectively out of necessity after injuries limited their forward stocks.
His partnership with Max Gawn in the ruck has hurt the impact of both players with coach Simon Goodwin trying to convert Grundy into a forward, but so far to little success.
That has seen many experts suggesting the Demons trade him away, given even with Collingwood paying a portion of his salary, the 2021 premiers are paying roughly $650,000 a season for Grundy’s services – which they appear not to need.
Foxfooty.com.au has previously reported Port Adelaide would again be interested in Grundy if he were placed on the market, and speaking on AFL Media’s Gettable, the Swans’ Beatson said the club would be open to hearing from Grundy’s management.
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Sydney traded for Peter Ladhams two years ago but he has not lived up to the potential shown in his final season at Port Adelaide, while journeyman Tom Hickey is on the back-end of his career and had an interrupted campaign.
Asked if the club would target a ruckman this off-season, Beatson said: “Potentially.
“Pete is struggling a bit with an ankle at the moment buts it’s like all clubs, you’re pretty much looking at all positions, to be honest, I mean what helps you win grand finals are class players, whether their defenders, forwards, and mids.
“You can’t have enough class players if you can get them, the trick is trying to fit them all into the salary cap.
“Hand on heart, there was no contract with Tom (De Koning, from Carlton). Tom didn’t want to meet with any clubs. I don’t think he meet with Geelong or St Kilda, sometimes what’s reported in the press is a little bit out of control but I can categorically say we didn’t put a contract offer to Tom’s management.”
Beatson also said the Swans intended to be “pretty active” in the trade space, with Hawthorn’s second-round pick in their pocket along with their natural first and second-round picks, plus all of their future selections.
