North Melbourne's first proposal to acquire Western Bulldogs premiership defender Caleb Daniel has been rebuffed by the Dogs.
The Kangaroos, eager to secure some experience in the defensive half, offered their Pick 25 in exchange for Daniel and Pick 48, according to Channel 9 reporter Tom Morris.
However, the Bulldogs were quick to turn down the offer, leaving Daniel's future at Whitten Oval uncertain as the trade deadline looms.
Daniel, contracted with the Bulldogs until the end of 2026, has drawn interest from North Melbourne after spending a challenging season under coach Luke Beveridge. Despite his history as a Best and Fairest winner and All-Australian, the 28-year-old's role with the Bulldogs has become less secure. He played only 16 games this season, frequently as a substitute, and spent significant time with the Bulldogs' VFL affiliate in 2024. These circumstances have led Daniel to assess his options, although he has yet to confirm a desire to leave the club.
North Melbourne's interest in Daniel aligns with their plans to bolster their defensive lineup. AFL reporter Cal Twomey previously commented that if Daniel chose to leave, โthe Roos would be in a strong position to be the club of choice.โ
However, discussions between North Melbourne and the Bulldogs have reportedly stalled, with the two clubs struggling to agree on an exchange that would satisfy both parties.
North Melbourne holds picks 2, 25, 44, and 62 in this year's draft but remains focused on adding further experienced talent. Beyond Daniel, the Kangaroos have been negotiating with Sydney for Luke Parker and pursuing Port Adelaide's Dan Houston, though the latter is reportedly leaning towards other Victorian clubs.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are dealing with potential exits for midfielders Bailey Smith and Jack Macrae, and while they had initially inquired about GWS midfielder Xavier O'Halloran, the Giants are reluctant to part ways with the experienced player.
With the trade period ending soon, North Melbourne may need to increase their offer to convince the Bulldogs to release Daniel. Whether this will include a higher draft pick or additional assets remains to be seen, but the Bulldogs' rejection of Pick 25 suggests they expect significant compensation for their premiership defender.
