MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Ben Brown of the Kangaroos celebrates kicking a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
North Melbourne forward Ben Brown has nominated Melbourne as his preferred club for next season, the Roos confirmed.
Channel Seven's Tom Browne reported yesterday that the North forward was expected to request a move to the Demons, despite reports the Kangaroos could retain him since the departure of coach Rhyce Shaw.
“Ben has been a great player for us and a great ambassador,” North GM football Brady Rawlings told the club website.
“We spoke honestly with Ben in September about the direction of our football club and what was best for his career, and we committed to finding an outcome that would suit both parties.
“As Ben has nominated his preferred club, we will now work to secure a trade that is a good outcome for the club.”
Brown played 130 games and kicked 287 goals for North Melbourne over seven seasons.
The 27-year old kicked over 60 goals in each of the three seasons between 2017-2019, before a less than impressive campaign in 2020 in which he kicked eight goals in nine games.
He will need to be traded to be acquired - with the Demons currently holding draft picks 23, 47, 62, 63 and 83.
The AFL trade period runs from November 4-12.