North Melbourne's 2026 season has had moments of disappointment, but it has also had some genuine development and bright sparks for the first time in nearly a decade.
Finally, the green shoots are growing into trees and the performances of Finn O'Sullivan, Cooper Trembath, George Wardlaw and more make the Roos the most exciting trade proposition they have been since the mid-2010s.
Add into the mix Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel, Nick Larkey, Tristan Xerri and Charlie Comben and the club is starting to look more and more like a finals quality side.
So who are the trade targets for North Melbourne this off-season? Let's hope to the high heavens it includes some key defenders.
Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
A player of Weitering's ilk, both in on and off-field capabilities, would be the perfect acquisition for North Melbourne.
The star Carlton defender has battled with injury in 2026, but his defensive nous and quality is well known.
Weitering won his maiden All-Australian blazer in 2024, but he has been one of the best lockdown key defenders in the game for a long time before that.
The Blues would not want to trade their vice-captain and partner in crime for the emerging Harry Dean, but could the Roos put up an offer too good to refuse to claim Weitering's services?
He is contracted until the end of 2031, but if he was to become the Roos' lockdown key defender (the club's biggest hole in its list by far) it could be the difference between North Melbourne making finals in 2027 or not.
It would also allow Comben to become a more attacking centre-half back that can use his speed and athleticism to drive the Kangaroos' counter-attacking game.
