AFL trade news: North Melbourne 'very confident' in pursuit of Giants midfielder

Could they edge out fellow rivals to land his highly-coveted signature?

EDITOR | June 18, 2021 - 1:25pm

North Melbourne are reportedly "very confident" of luring Greater Western Sydney superstar Josh Kelly at season's end.

Kelly is a restricted free agent in 2021 after inking a two-year deal in 2019, with that deal holding a six-year extension clause in his favour to remain in the Harbour City.

At the time of that deal the Kangaroos were keen to land Kelly's signature with a lucrative offer that would have seen the flashy onballer return to Victoria and play for the Arden Street club.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Josh Kelly of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Melbourne Demons at UNSW Canberra Oval on August 5, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Now, with the 26-year-old facing a similar choice on his future, the Kangaroos are believed to be confident that Kelly will venture to North Melbourne this time around.

Speaking on Triple M this week, journalist Damian Barrett revealed the Kangaroos' confidence but drew attention to the last time Kelly was off-contract and how it played out for the club.

“North are starting to very confidently talk amongst themselves (about luring Kelly),” he said on Triple M’s Rush Hour with JB and Billy.

“They very confident three or four years ago when they thought they had him and didn’t get him."

Following the recent re-signings of Zach Merrett and Marcus Bontempelli, Kelly is now just one of five restricted free agents this season.

AFL Rd 10 - Western Bulldogs v St Kilda — MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the 2021 AFL Round 10 match between the Western Bulldogs and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on May 22, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The GWS star joins St Kilda midfielder Jack Billings, Crows gun Matt Crouch, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and Swans utility George Hewett as the quintet that fall under the restricted free agent category.

Kelly is sure to receive interest from a number of Victorian clubs, with the Bombers, Hawks and Kangaroos tipped as the likely three leaders given their financial situations.

Over last weekend Kelly was able to flex his worth to the Kangaroos first-hand in a best-on-ground performance during Sunday's draw between the two clubs.