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?
4Charlie Ballard (Gold Coast)
Another key defender in the mid-20s age bracket, Ballard would be a perfect addition to North Melbourne's backline.
Having recovered from an ACL injury, Ballard can't seem to find consistent form or time in the Suns' defence, but his talent as a tough and tall defender was on show during the 2024 season when he emerged as one of the best young defenders in the league.
Still has work to do to get back to his pre-ACL best, but at only 26, has plenty of time to re-establish himself as one of the league's best defenders and could do so on a healthy pay packet at North Melbourne.
Is contracted until the end of 2029, but it could work in both Ballard and Gold Coast's favour to get him off the books - which will be bursting soon with the amount of talent in the Suns squad - and give him more opportunities.
Is more of an intercept style defender, but would still be a welcome recruit to the Roos' back six.
