North Melbourne has declared an interest in St Kilda midfielder Hunter Clark.
The Roos are tipped to be active in the 2022 trade period after finishing with the wooden spoon this year and have already attracted the likes of Fremantle duo Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker.
SEN Chief Sports Reporter Sam Edmund reported in September that Clark was “likely” to land at Arden Street but St Kilda has said it’s “really reluctant” to release the 23-year-old from his contract a year early.
Speaking on Monday morning, North Melbourne head of football Brady Rawlings put the club’s interest in Clark on the record.
“We’ve certainly had some discussions there,” he told AFL Trade Radio.
“We’ve got some real interest in Hunter as a player, but clearly he’s in contract, got another 12 months to go as the Saint.
“If they were willing to have a chat we’d certainly be willing to put something on the table for Hunter to get him across.”
With the Saints leaving the door ajar for Clark to be traded, North Melbourne has a strong draft hand in a trade.
Along with Pick 1 this year, the Roos are also expected to net a further two first round picks if Jason Horne-Francis gets his wish to be traded to Port Adelaide.
The club has also received a bonus second and third round pick in the 2023 National Draft as part of an AFL assistance package.
“He’s right in that sort of range we’re looking for as a player and that sort of age group and talent, but the Saints are going to have to be willing to deal him for us to be in that obviously given he’s in contract,” Rawlings continued.
“The ball will be in their court there.”
A potential factor in the trade for Clark will be the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Roos coach Alastair Clarkson, who was named in serious allegations from former Hawthorn players and their families.
It’s unclear when Clarkson will return to coaching after standing down, and Edmund has previously reported the situation surrounding the former Hawks coach could throw a spanner in the works of the club’s trade activity.
Clark has endured an injury-interrupted five seasons at St Kida since being drafted with pick 7 in 2017, but the smooth-moving on-baller has shown enough to suggest he’ll be a star of the future if his body holds up.