Carlton reportedly has a plan in place to find a replacement big in the trade period, should Tom De Koning walk out on the club.
The out of contract ruckman will reportedly be heavily targeted at the end of the season, with the likes of Sydney, Geelong, St Kilda and Essendon already heavily linked.
However, should the Blues lose De Koning, they will make a play for North Melbourne key defender Ben McKay, according to Damian Barrett.
McKay, a free agent at the end of the season, would find a home in the Blues’ backline, giving them greater size and flexibility alongside Jacob Weitering and Lewis Young.
He is, of course, the brother of Carlton star Harry McKay.
“Tom De Koning, he went at it one out against Toby Nankervis on Thursday night, yet to be re-signed by the Blues beyond next year and there is a lot of interest in him particularly coming from St Kilda,” Barrett told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“There is a contingency plan from the Blues perspective that if they do lose him as a big man … they’re going to go after the also out of contract Ben McKay.
“They’re keen to get Ben McKay in if they lose Tom. Ben McKay is out of contract at North.
“I think he is making the right noises about wanting to stay, but he is out of contract.”
McKay is currently sidelined with a bone stress injury in his foot and will reportedly miss at least the opening month of the season.