North Melbourne tall Tristan Xerri is understood to have hit pause on extension negotiations with the Kangaroos as his contract year begins to take shape.

The 23-year-old requested a trade to St Kilda at the end of last season after an eight-game campaign, where he battled for more senior ruck duties alongside the incumbent Todd Goldstein.

A move to Moorabbin fell through however, with the Roos standing firm on their request for a second-round selection in place of the 201cm ruckman.

Now in a contract year and able to assess his options to a greater extent, Xerri will place a focus on strengthening his ruck craft as he aims to claim the first-string duties under senior coach David Noble, according to AFL.com.au. 

North Melbourne opted to name Xerri, Goldstein and recruit Callum Coleman-Jones for their Round 1 bout with Hawthorn, with the three-piece ruck tandem falling to the Hawks by 20 points on Sunday.

The selection call has raised questions as to whether all three big men can aptly rotate and fit the Roos' system, with the decision potentially being the looming factor in the Round 1 result.

Xerri led North Melbourne's hit-outs tally with 18 for the game, while also amassing 10 disposals, three marks, three tackles and eight contested possessions.

TRISTAN XERRI
Ruck
North Melbourne
ROUND 1 STATS
18
Hit Outs
3
Marks
10
Disposals

A strong campaign as the Roos' leading ruck could spell external interest in Xerri this off-season, from the Saints and potentially other suitors should he not be re-signed by then.

Ruckmen were in high demand at end of 2021, with St Kilda among the clubs unable to bolster their key-position stocks through the trade window.

With veteran ruckman Paddy Ryder's future unclear past this season, the Saints could turn their attention back toward Xerri as a potential pairing with Rowan Marshall.

The Saints were able to unleash Supplemental Selection Period recruit Jack Hayes in Round 1, with the Woodville-West Torrens star putting on a best-afield performance for the Saints in Friday's loss to Collingwood.

Hayes is likely to feature more as a forward threat that can pinch-hit in the ruck, with senior coach Brett Ratten potentially looking to bolster his list with an out-and-out ruck option, with Xerri fitting the frame.