Trade talk: Why Cornes would trade North Melbourne star

A year ago, Tristan Xerri signed a contract extension with North Melbourne until the end of 2031.

But Kane Cornes reckons the Kangaroos must consider trading him this off-season if they want to spend money on other players.

The new ruck rules have somewhat dampened Xerri’s influence on the game in the eyes of Cornes.

As a result he says the Roos should look to move him on, bring in a way less expensive ruckman, and shift their focus to other players like St Kilda’s Darcy Wilson.

“He hasn’t been linked to trade talks yet but Tristan Xerri is a player that I would trade if I was North,” Cornes said on SEN’s Locked In.

“Other clubs could use his services. It may be a win-win.

“He went to two centre bounces on the weekend. Now he’s injured (with a broken jaw), I get it. And Cooper Trembath, gee whiz. Doesn’t he look like something else with his athleticism.

“Can they get off the Xerri money for another ruckman? He doesn’t have the attributes now with the rule changes to be as effective as he once was.

“I would trade Xerri. I think North would love to get off that deal.

“This is just an opinion.”

Cornes concedes that North would more than likely have to pay some of the joint 2025 Syd Barker Medallist’s contract if they were to even consider trading him out.

But he feels it would be worth it in the long run.

“I’d just bring in a budget, Lachie McAndrew type - a bash and crasher,” Cornes added.

“Someone who can still jump, who is 200cm-plus which you need to be with the new ruck rule.

“Get off the investment you’ve made because you’ve paid Xerri thinking he’s something that now he’s not.

“I don’t know if there’s a club that would pick up that money, they might be forced to pay $300,000-$400,000 of that.

“But there’s some clubs out there that need a ruck if they can get him slightly cheaper if North are prepared to pay some of it. Chuck in a late second-round draft pick and North get off that money to go after the likes of Darcy Wilson.

“I think that makes a fair bit of sense.

“I’ll be shocked if that name (Xerri) doesn’t come up (as the trade period approaches).”

Xerri will be sidelined for the next few weeks after undergoing surgery on a fractured jaw sustained in the weekend's win over Richmond.

The Roos will look to make it three in a row when they meet Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.