Darcy Macpherson is so far refusing a trade to North Melbourne as further details of the proposed move emerge.
It has been reported that Gold Coast are exploring a “salary dump” deal in which the contracted Macpherson and pick 19 would be sent to North if the Kangaroos footed the bill for the last year of McPherson’s back-ended contract.
But it can be revealed negotiations over the trade have also involved North handing future picks back to the Suns.
Sources said the Suns’ motivation for trading Macpherson was not purely salary cap related and that they are happy to retain the player for 2022.
Macpherson’s lucrative contract has attracted criticism, but its back-ended composition and the AFL-mandated pay deferrals have inflated it for next year – the third and final season of his deal.
Macpherson finished third in the Suns’ 2019 best and fairest, but the club no longer sees him in their best 22 so are happy to consider a trade. But the Suns have never told rivals they need to dump money.
While North Melbourne haven’t finalised a contract for Macpherson, as things stand the Suns midfielder is determined to stay in Queensland and fight for his spot under coach Stuart Dew.