North Melbourne are open to trading their first-round pick as they are set to pursue a star midfielder during this season's upcoming trade period.
The Roos went hard for but missed out on both Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly last season, but are confident they can once against become a destination club after a strong 4-3 start to 2018.
North Melbourne's CEO Carl Dilena spoke to the Herald Sun about the position the club is currently in, with a number of the game's stars off contract at season's end.
Free agents Andrew Gaff and Luke Dahlhaus could be on the Roos' wishlist, while out of contract players like Ollie Wines and Jordan De Goey could also be pursued.
Dilena said the Roos were keeping all of their options open.
“If you look at where the team is performing at the moment and how we would throw some extra talent into the mix, we are going to be right up there,” Dilena told the Herald Sun.
“We do see ourselves as the kind of club which would be attractive to anyone coming in.
“Our list has some pretty good players but how do we add that extra talent to keep our team up the top of the ladder?
“That was the case last year and it will be the case again this year and it naturally helps if you are playing good footy.”
“You become attractive to other players that might be looking at us from other clubs."
North Melbourne however are certain they'll recruit Tasmanian youngster Tarryn Thomas in the draft, regardless of what picks they take into the 2018 edition.
The Roos will use next year's picks if they have to, with Thomas currently rated inside the top three draft prospects.
Dilena confirmed the Roos were after another midfielder at the trade table.
“I think if you have a look at what our focus was last year, it’s developing added depth and flexibility in the midfield.”
“I think you have to look at all options,” Dilena said when asked about what the club would do with their first pick.
“Free agency can be cheap in quotation marks because you only have to give up money but if you are at the trade table and are going to be serious about it you have to give up something of value to get something back so we recognise that.”
North Melbourne have already lost highly-rated teenager Nick Blakey to Sydney, after he chose the Swans instead of the Roos despite his father playing 224 games for the Roos.
