Out-of-contract North Melbourne midfielder Hugh Greenwood is reportedly secured at Arden Street next season despite entering this season without a deal for 2024.
The ex-Sun, down on form this season, was thought to still be without a contract at North heading into the 2024 season, however, that does not now appear to be the case.
Instead, Greenwood is locked in at the Roos for next season as a result of hitting a games-played trigger in his contract, according to a Herald Sun report on Wednesday. It is not known how many games Greenwood had to have played in order to achieve that trigger.
The 31-year-old made his way to Arden Street prior to the 2022 season after he was contentiously delisted by the Gold Coast Suns at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Initially dubbed a recruiting success based on Greenwood's physically-imposing, defence-oriented play on the Sunshine Coast, the Tasmanian's North Melbourne impact arguably hasn't met the expectations of North's list management committee.
Greenwood played 21 games in his maiden North Melbourne season, however he has managed just 12 senior outings to this late point in the season, having been demoted to the VFL on multiple occasions in 2023.
Greenwood's 2023 per-game disposal mean of 14.5 currently ranks as the worst of his seven-season AFL tenure, as his career average sits at 16.9. His per-game tackle numbers are also at an all-time low compared to past campaigns, averaging 5.0, down from his 6.6 career average.
While it would be harsh to suggest Greenwood has contributed to the Roos' continued stagnation, his inclusion hasn't been conducive to club success.
In any case, all signs point to the Apple Isle native remaining at Arden Street next year.
Greenwood and the Kangaroos 'host' Melbourne at Hobart's Blundstone Arena this Sunday afternoon in coach Alastair Clarkson's first game back at the head-coaching helm.
