Adelaide Crows defender Jake Kelly is weighing up a return home to Victoria, with North Melbourne looming as a potential suitor.
The 26-year-old is an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can find his way to the club of his choice without any resistance from the Crows. Adelaide is supposedly keen on re-signing Kelly, but three weeks after the conclusion of the season he remains out-of-contract.
According to an AFL.com.au report, the Crows have proposed a multi-year agreement to the medium defender in a bid to keep him at the club.
Defender
Disposals
Marks
Rebound50s
However, the Kangaroos are said to be keeping a close eye on Kelly's situation.
North Melbourne senior coach David Noble was Adelaide's list manager in 2013 when the Crows drafted Kelly, so the link to Arden Street is clear to see.
The Roos may be looking to add to their defensive unit, after 2020 free agent acquisition Aidan Corr managed just two games this year due to a toe injury, while Robbie Tarrant and the club are yet to agree on a new deal for 2022.
Speaking back in July on SEN, Kelly said he was in no rush to put pen-to-paper. He did say at the time that talks were going well.
“We’re working through (the contract talks) at the moment,” he said.
“That’ll be something that we’ll work through over the coming weeks and into the end of the season.
“That’s progressing okay and going in the right track.
“I’m not the type of person to get too fussed about it all, when it happens it happens. I don’t really concern myself with it overly.
“If it happens at the end of the year then that’s fine with me."
Kelly, who missed just two games this year, finished seventh in Adelaide's best and fairest after averaging 15 disposals, five marks and three rebound-50s per contest.
The Crows re-signed ball-winner Matt Crouch last week, but didn't offer contracts to veteran pair Daniel Talia and Tom Lynch and fare-welled retiree David Mackay.
