Melbourne has delivered its first offer to North Melbourne for medium forward Zane Duursma. The Roos would have their choice of one of Pick 47, a 2027 second-rounder or a 2028 second-rounder.
The Dees' offer was extended on Tuesday, according to AFL Media, on the second day of the trade period. But the deal is widely expected to be shut down by the Kangaroos.
North Melbourne will be wanting much more on the trade table for Duursma, who the Roos took with Pick 4 in the talented 2023 National Draft.
The 21-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in the three years since, but form, consistency and performance have left him falling in and out of the side.
Despite the Roos having a change of coach with Alastair Clarkson being sacked and Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham being anointed on Tuesday, the Gippsland Power product remains determined to land at Melbourne this off-season.
Duursma has played 38 games and kicked 28 goals in his three seasons at the club.
North Melbourne list manager Brady Rawlings has said there is no bad blood between the club and Duursma, and they will gladly welcome him back if a deal can't be done.
Duursma is out of contract but not a free agent, so a trade must be struck. Melbourne can't walk him through the pre-season draft as North Melbourne finished lower on the ladder and thus have an earlier pick.
The Kangaroos will be keen for a first-round or early second-round pick from the Dees to help North Melbourne secure contracted Adelaide key defender Nick Murray.
However, the Demons only have Picks 6, 10 and 47 available to them and won't be keen to split their early first-round picks as they look to bank draft talent before Tassie enters the league.
