North Melbourne has had one of the most drawn out and arduous list builds of the 21st century. Right alongside Melbourne, which was a basket case from 2008 until 2017 when the Demons finished in ninth spot and finally moved on to bigger and better things.
The Kangaroos have been battered and beaten since they infamously started an overhaul of their list at the end of 2016.
Four of North Melbourne's senior players "retired" with Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito, Farren Ray, Daniel Wells (to Collingwood) and Drew Petrie (West Coast) leaving the club, while a further three were delisted. The Roos then lost veterans Andrew Swallow and Lindsay Thomas the following year as the deep cut continued.
What happened next was a slow decline before six years of bottom three finishes from 2020-25, including two wooden spoons. But in 2026, the Roos' heart has started to beat again and their talent through the midfield is clear with Tristan Xerri, Harry Sheezel and Luke Davies-Uniacke dominant and young guns George Wardlaw and Finn O'Sullivan impressing.
North Melbourne's forward line mix of captain Nick Larkey, emerging tall Cooper Trembath and smalls Lachy Dovaston, Paul Curtis and Charlie Spargo is also strong.
That leaves defence as the major concern for the club if it is to rise out of the doldrums and give its fans hope of contesting for flags like the Kangaroos did in the 1990s.
To do that, North Melbourne needs a certified high-quality key defender to lockdown the opposition's best key forward and partner Charlie Comben in defensive 50. So who are the best options that the Roos should target in the 2026 trade period?
6Jack Buckley (GWS)
This target would be tricky to get a deal done. Buckley re-signed at the Giants at the end of last year for four years to see him contracted until 2030. He is also a native to New South Wales, so the Roos would have to entice him out of his home state.
However, the dependable key defender is a staple of GWS' backline and one of the premier key defenders in the league and should pique North Melbourne's interest.
If North Melbourne was able to offer up its first-round pick (and then some), perhaps it could encourage the Giants to contemplate a deal. Offer Buckley enough money as well and his eagerness to swap charcoal and orange for blue and white stripes could increase.
A prolific spoiler, Buckley fears no man in defence.
Standing at 195cm, he is a great height for a key defender and is only 28 years old, so would make for the perfect leader of a backline and partner in crime for Comben.
Highly unlikely to happen, but never say never.
