The gloves are off in North Melbourne’s pursuit of Callum Coleman-Jones.
The Kangaroos’ opening move to snare Richmond’s ruck-forward saw them offer a future third-round pick, but also asked for the Tigers’ future fourth round pick in return.
The bold play comes with Richmond wanting more for a 22-year-old they have invested four years of development into since taking him with pick 20 in the 2017 draft.
Coleman-Jones has been selected for only nine games in those four years – eight of them coming this year - but the Tigers point to the fact North have offered their player a four-year contract worth around $450,000 a season.
The Roos see Coleman-Jones as their primary ruck weapon next year, with veteran Todd Goldstein likely to relinquish the No.1 ruck role.
But as things stand, the two clubs remain a long way apart in negotiations, albeit with plenty of time before next Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Unrestricted free agent Robbie Tarrant’s move from North Melbourne to Richmond on a two-year deal is still likely to eventuate via a trade to preserve the Tigers’ end of second round compensation pick for Mabior Chol’s shift to Gold Coast.
North Melbourne will take Jason Horne-Francis at pick one in next month’s national draft, while they also possess selections 20, 40, 72 and 77.
Richmond has the best draft hand, holding picks 7, 15, 26, 28, 38, 42, 47 and 83.
The Tigers are also in the hunt for the Western Bulldogs’ first round pick – No.17 – as the Dogs position themselves to weather bids on father-son tall Sam Darcy.