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?
5Jordon Butts (Adelaide)
A much more likely trade to occur given Butts is a Victorian, out of contract at the end of 2026 and may be looking for more certainty in his footballing future.
Since being drafted out of northern Victorian country town Shepparton in 2018, Butts has played 91 games for the Crows as a trusty key defender who has struggled to cement his place in the starting team.
There were rumours that clubs were chasing the 195cm defender last off-season but there was no movement at the station.
A serious leg injury to Adelaide's Mark Keane early in the year saw Butts start the season in strong form. In Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs, he reached career-highs in intercept marks (eight), kicks (14) and disposals (19).
Still only 26, Butts has shown he has got what it takes to be a stable key defender in an AFL side, he just has the likes of Keane, Josh Worrell, Nick Murray and Max Michalanney in front of him.
So could the Roos offer him a more than generous offer to return home and help their climb back to relevancy?
