Robbie Tarrant has told North Melbourne he wants out.
It can be revealed Tarrant has informed Kangaroos teammates and officials he will next month leave the club as an unrestricted free agent.
The veteran defender is poised to sign a two-year contract at Richmond, who have chosen Tarrant over delisted Crow Daniel Talia as a replacement for the retired David Astbury.
North Melbourne was initially only willing to offer Tarrant, 32, a one-year deal to play on at Arden Street.
But while that offer was subsequently increased to two years, Tarrant made the decision to chase a premiership at Richmond.
Tarrant can walk to Punt Road for nothing when the free agency window opens on October 1.
But Richmond will be wary Tarrant’s arrival could cancel out the free agency compensation they would receive for Mabior Chol’s departure to Gold Coast on a four-year deal.
It’s a scenario that might see the Tigers willing to trade with North given another Tiger tall, Callum Coleman-Jones, wants a move to the Kangaroos.
Ruck-forward Coleman-Jones will sign a four-year contract with the Roos and is expected to assume most of the ruck load next year, with Todd Goldstein in the twilight of his career.
The Tigers had wanted to keep Coleman-Jones, but couldn’t promise the emerging key position prospect the opportunity he craved.
Tarrant, pick 15 in the 2007 national draft, has been a best and fairest winner across 14 seasons at North Melbourne.
He was restricted to only 10 games this year after undergoing kidney surgery.