King reacts to North’s Blakey recruitment

North Melbourne’s recruitment of Nick Blakey is great for the club, says Kangaroos great David King.

The Roos managed to land the All-Australian defender from the Sydney Swans in as monster trade which saw the Roos also pocket Pick 52 and a future second-rounder. The Swans raked in Pick 6 and 47 this year, plus a 2027 second, as well as 2028 future first and second-round picks.

Blakey’s eight-year, $12 million move comes with some controversy given he was one of the five players named in the Pullman Hotel scandal.

Asked how he saw the signing, King was full of positivity from a footballing perspective.

“Loved it. It’s an aggressive move,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

“You want your off-field staff to be able to get deals done. In the end you’ve got to make the place more attractive as a proposition first.

“If there is some trauma out there and there is the ability to grab someone who is unhappy, then go get ‘em. That’s the caper, isn’t it?

“Did they overpay? Probably. But I think North fans are just so excited that you’ve got someone that can show the rest of that back six, the whole lot of them, how to actually play, how to counter-punch, how to set up, how to play aggressive, corridor footy.

“I think he’ll be a boom for them.”

Kane Cornes agrees.

He feels that while the Roos might have spent a pretty penny to get Blakey, he should prove a worthwhile acquisition for a club that has been crying out for a star.

“He’s the best player North Melbourne has recruited in as long time,” Cornes said.

“I think he’s a gun. Would I have given him eight years? No, I’d rather that be five. But it’s what they’re all paying now.

“If they weren’t going to do it then someone else would have.

“I like it. I’m getting my North Melbourne membership. North’s my team for a membership this year. I want to get on board for the ride at the right time.”

King also likes the appointment of Jaymie Graham as the club’s new senior coach.

Graham arrived at Arden Street from Fremantle and steps in to replace Alastair Clarkson who was sacked at season’s end.

“It’s exciting. It just feels like he was always their man,” King said.

“They didn’t want to damage the former players (Adam Simpson and John Longmire) who had been so good for North in the past.

“But time will tell. No one knows. ‘Yeah, well done, you got a great coach’.

“It’s just the greatest guessing game. We’ll know in six months.”