Five off-season targets for EVERY AFL club: North Melbourne Kangaroos

After claiming consecutive wooden spoons, North Melbourne would be buoyed by the arrival of four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson to Arden Street.

However, Clarkson's reputation alone isn't a magic wand to wave away the issues that the club has in terms of its playing group. It will take time to rebuild the club to a point where they can challenge the big boys once again, and until then there will need to be wise recruitment and decisions made by the North Melbourne staff.

This does not detract from the fact that the club does reportedly have a massive amount of salary cap to play with, meaning that there isn't really a player in the club's sights that is off-limits due to money.

Throw in the lure of being able to play under Alastair Clarkson, and suddenly the Roos aren't a sour prospect for players to head to.

As mentioned, the group has big issues. Experience is one, so if Clarkson can address that through snaring a seasoned star in the trade period it'd go a fair way toward achieving some sort of age balance.

Secondly, someone who can provide some more run off half-back considering Aaron Hall isn't always available and Jack Ziebell is now down forward might be wise for the North recruiting staff to consider.

With this, let's delve into who the Roos could possibly target going into the off-season.

OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE,
GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND

Mitch Wallis

The Doggies' experienced forward was ruled out for the season back in June due to a foot injury, however has found himself in and out of the side off the back of form since the start of 2021.

His last full season in Luke Beveridge's side came in 2020 where he was one of the club's best players, booting 25 goals from just 18 games and helping them sneak into finals.

At 29 years of age, it's not out of the question that he'd bring experience and another edge to North's young forward line. The tutelage he'd provide to the likes of Cam Zurhaar and Jason Horne-Francis about forward movement could serve them well down the line, and the obvious draw of being able to reignite his career at another club could tempt him.

Should he be able to get back to his best following surgery, then it could be worth North Melbourne putting the feelers out to his camp.

Aaron Francis

Aaron Francis hasn't had many opportunities this year to impress for Essendon, his only stint being down in attack and booting four goals in as many games for the Bombers.

The 25-year-old hasn't been able to get into his groove since being taken at Pick 6 in the 2016 national draft, however has put up some decent displays in his 54 games with the Bombers since.

With a new coach set to take the helm in 2023, there may not be a spot for Francis on the list considering his lack of ability to nail down a spot in the side thus far. If reports are to be believed as of recent, then the South Australian has already seized the initiative and is already seeking a trade.

Francis would provide Clarkson with a swingman who can do the business down back but also be deployed up forward if needed too, crashing packs and snagging goals. He wouldn't take up a sizeable amount of the salary cap as well, meaning that this would be a fairly low-risk acquisition for the Roos.

Jack Gunston

The Hawks' key forward has been in and out of the side over the last few years, but when fit is one of their very best players.

However, with the likes of Mitch Lewis and Jacob Koschitzke rising through the ranks at Waverley, it seems like it's a matter of time before three becomes a crowd in the Hawthorn forward-50.

A reunion with the coach that handed him three premierships could be the next port of call for the veteran, with Clarkson surely wanting someone who is familiar with his tactical approach to help usher in a new era at Arden Street.

Additionally, he would bring even more goals and form a scary trident with Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar to cause problems for opposition players. Despite Gunston already being linked with the Lions, with the war chest that North has he could definitely be tempted to make the switch across town to the Roos for the right money.

Trent Bianco

This one is a less likely option, however, his mould is someone that the Roos definitely could benefit from.

Bianco has been in and out of the Pies side throughout the year after being a heavy feature last year. His best game this season came against the Pies in Round 18, putting up 20 disposals and six tackles from midfield.

The 21-year-old has the ability to run both ways as well as hit the scoreboard and, should he be allowed the opportunity, could flourish under Alastair Clarkson.

He is off-contract at season's end, and could nicely complement an engine room that already has some great potential about it.

Bradley Hill

The Saints half-back has had a bit of an uptick in form in season 2022 after being maligned by many over the past two years.

However, for a reported $900,000 per season, Hill certainly has not fulfilled his perceived value and is by all accounts open to reuniting with his former coach at Arden Street should the Saints give him the green light.

What Hill can provide on his day however is some great run out of defence, something that could be integral to North's setup play going forward.

The 29-year-old still has three years to run on his contract, meaning that the Roos would have to strike a trade with Brett Ratten's side and then discuss salary, which would almost certainly be lower than what he is earning at St Kilda as of current.

This is one that could be worth keeping an eye on over the coming weeks as things are set to heat up in the lead-up to trade period 2022.