David Schwarz says that North Melbourne could bring in up to four big name players at the end of the season should they opt to trade away ruckman Todd Goldstein this year.
With North Melbourne interested in the status of uncontracted GWS on-baller Josh Kelly and restricted free agents Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe, Schwarz believes creating additional cap space by clearing Goldstein’s contract, reported to be worth around $900,000 a season, could see the club in a position to land two or more of these big names.
The former Demon also believes the lure of an All-Australian ruckman could see the club demand an established opposition player or a host of draft picks to strengthen their ongoing rebuild in return.
“I was very hesitant about this, but I think it is time where North Melbourne, if they are trying to land big fish, can open it up here,” he said on SEN’s The Run Home on Monday.
“They can move Goldy on, get something really good from him and begin their assault on the big players and the big money.
“My understanding is that if they dropped Goldstein they could land four big fish. Two huge fish and two decent-sized kingfishes... two marlins and two 20 kilo kingfishes.”
The former Demons forward considers the continued rise of 22-year-old North ruckman Braydon Preuss, who has averaged 11 disposals, five marks and 27 hitouts a game in his breakout year at the club, makes this decision a no-brainer for the Roos, pencilling in Majak Daw to be their sole backup ruck option.
“You can’t have three of them. You can’t expect the three of them to sit around for the next five years and wait their turn,” Schwarz said.
“They’ll save themselves cash and they have already got ready-made replacements.”
Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph agreed with Schwarz, and also believes that Kelly, a target North have allegedly offered a mammoth nine-year, $9 million contract, will wait until the end of the year to make a decision on his future.
“I think Josh Kelly at the moment is thinking he probably won’t go to North. He won’t go there for $9 million over nine years,” he said.
“Why would he make a decision until they have either won or lost a Grand Final? I think he is more likely to hold off right until the end of the season.
“He will say to himself ‘Why would I make a decision? Because if I can potentially win a Grand Final, I can scratch that itch and come back and take massive dollars in Melbourne.’
“I think that is more and more likely as the days go on.”