Garry Lyon believes North Melbourne should look at Fremantle as an example of how to rebuild their club.
While the Dockers have had a number of top draft picks like Nathan Fyfe, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Griffin Logue, their list has mostly been built through shrewd late draft picks and outstanding trades.
Lyon believes the Kangaroos should attempt to take a page out of their book and focus on adding value outside of the top of the draft.
“This is hope for North Melbourne supporters who have got none at the moment and it’s a desperate situation. I’ve barracked for a team that’s been there and seen it,” the former Melbourne captain told SEN Breakfast.
“Fremantle yesterday … they’re second on the ladder, this is the way this team was put together.
“Andrew Brayshaw was pick two, James Aish traded for pick 68 and a future third, Sean Darcy pick 36, Will Brodie they got for nothing basically, Rory Lobb they gave up pick 11 to the Giants and pick 14, 43 and 47, Caleb Serong pick 8.
“What you’re seeing here is some high draft picks, which we know the Kangas are going to get, then some trading and some drafting.
“Luke Ryan was pick 66. Ethan Hughes a rookie pick, Lachie Schultz 57, Michael Frederick 61, Brennan Cox 41.
“Alex Pearce was 37. Travis Colyer for a future fourth rounder. Michael Walters 53, Matthew Taberner was a rookie pick. Bailey Banfield was a rookie pick. Sam Switkowski was 73.
“Then you go to the trade table and get Aish, Jordan Clark, Lobb, Brodie, Blake Acres, Colyer. Most clubs could have had a crack at them except maybe Clark.
“It’s the way you structure up this side. It’s not all about high draft picks. It’s about what you do after that.
“The unspoken part of this is that Fremantle has got their football club in great order right now. They appear to be in really good order. They’ve got a really good coach, they’ve got really good people behind the scenes, they’ve got good recruiters. We know North Melbourne’s recruiters walked out.”
The Kangaroos have already made some shrewd recruiting moves, pinching Hugh Greenwood out from under the Gold Coast, trading for Jaidyn Stephenson when the Magpies were desperate to offload him and finding a player like Cam Zurhaar in the rookie draft.
Lyon believes the Roos should still ask the question of the AFL regarding a priority pick.
“I think they should put their hand up for it,” he said.
“I know there’s a lot of people out there who say priority picks should go. They should put their hand up and let others decide, they’ve been pretty poor for a long period of time.
“End of first round, maybe.
“It’s not about first round and priority picks. It’s about what else you’re able to do in the short term and that is pick the eyes out of the draft and trade.”
Fremantle will be looking to continue pressing their top four credentials when they take on St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on the weekend.
The Kangaroos meanwhile face Collingwood at the MCG.
Subscribe to the SEN YouTube channel for the latest videos!