North Melbourne list manager Brady Rawlings discussed the Kangaroos’ off-season list strategy, including comments on the potential availability of GWS utility Nick Haynes as the club looks to add to its backline.
Haynes, who is out of favor with the Giants, could be available via trade, with recent reports suggesting GWS could draft Haynes in exchange for paying his hefty remaining salary.
On Monday morning, Rawlings discussed the possibility of signing overage players when asked if Haynes could be one player the club could target in the offseason.
“We’re definitely open to conversations about improving the draft order and bringing in more mature players,” Rawlings said.
“We haven’t talked about [Haynes] specifically, but if we have the opportunity to bring in some players to mature a little bit, even if we still go up, we would definitely entertain players that we think will play in our squad. Top 22 for the next few years or two.”
Rawlings revealed the Roos could potentially explore the scrapped free agency market to bolster their backline as well. While North Melbourne will first look internally to see if they have the capital to continue rebuilding without signing a new defender, Rawlings said the club is open to all mechanisms for player movement.
“We are in that space, there are some mechanisms,” he continued.
“In this year’s draft, we have some picks that are pretty high, there is potential to fill spots.
“We also looked at the DFA status. We also looked internally at our roster to potentially play again, and we think we have some options there.”
Rawlings raised the name of Toby Pink, who is on North Melbourne’s radar after his strong 2023 season with SANFL premiers Glenelg. Pink, who spent three years in Sydney between 2017 and 2019 and did not play at AFL level, was named in the SANFL Fullback Team of the Year after a strong campaign for the Tigers.
The Kangaroos had Pink listed for the 2020 VFL season before the COVID pandemic and the 25-year-old will soon return to South Australia.
“Toby is one of the players we’ve been looking at,” Rawlings said.
“He’s been in the SANFL now for three years after he got an opportunity in Sydney, we signed him as a VFL player before the COVID hit and then he went back to Glenelg.
– We watched him closely. We think his second half in the SANFL this year has been outstanding. We think he is a key defender in the SANFL and now a key player in the SANFL.
“He’s someone we want to bring in and we think he deserves a chance.”
The Kangaroos could consider the key defender as a rookie selection, either through the November draft period or as an additional pick acquisition in pre-season.
The designated free agency opens on November 1 and the Roses could also have some recently departed AFL names.
Essendon swingman James Stewart, who has not been offered a Tullamarine roster until 2024 despite having a year remaining on his contract, is among the news club scouts. The Bombers have confirmed the former Giant is looking for a new club and could have a suitor through free agency.
“James is moving on. We won’t be offering him a list next year,” Essendon lister Adrian Dodoro said when asked by Zero Hanger.
“We just think we’re very tight on rosters. He’s under contract and he’s fulfilling his contractual obligations, but there are maybe one or two other clubs that could give him a chance.”
The 197cm, 99kg Stewart was used at both ends of the pitch during his time with the Bombers, where he played 60 games over seven years. AFL NewsAFL 2023 Business News and Rumors 2023 AFL PlayersJames StewartNick HaynesAFL TeamsNorth Melbourne KangaroosToby Pink
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