North have had a shocking few years, and are almost nailed on to be wooden spooners this season.
However, the team is starting to get some cohesiveness about them and, with a few more years under the belt, could start to get back towards finals footy.
The thing is with North Melbourne is that they are one of a tiny group of clubs who could genuinely bring in all five of the players on this list with the cap space they have.
5 Trade Targets: Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Brisbane
5 Trade Targets: Carlton
5 Trade Targets: Collingwood
5 Trade Targets: Essendon
5 Trade Targets: Fremantle
5 Trade Targets: Geelong
5 Trade Targets: Gold Coast
5 Trade Targets: GWS
5 Trade Targets: Hawthorn
5 Trade Targets: Melbourne
We continue our ‘Five trade targets for every club’ series with North Melbourne.
In no particular order, here are five players which the Roos recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
The Giants star midfielder is rumoured to be out the door come season's end, and there are by all reports no shortage of suitors for the 26-year-old.
The Victorian native is set to command a huge pay-packet, and with North having money to burn could very well be landing at Arden Street.
So far in season 2021, Kelly has been immense for Leon Cameron's side. He averages 25.6 disposals, 4.5 tackles and 6.5 score involvements per game, showing he is simply at the heart of everything good the Giants do.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
As a restricted free agent, North can table a mammoth bid for the star and poach him with their war chest of funds. Kelly would slot in beautifully in midfield with the likes of Simpkin, Cunnington, Davies-Uniacke and Thomas and be a huge addition to David Noble's project.
This young key forward is set to have a big career. His height at 198cm means trying to stop him whilst on a lead is a tough ask. Despite being in a nice forward-line at Port Adelaide with Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray and Mitch Georgiades, Marshall could be the focal point of North's attack if he moves.
In the ten games he has played in season 2021, Marshall has booted 12 majors, averaging 9.9 disposals per game and 1.4 contested marks per game.
There is no doubt that he has talent, but to realise that potential he may need to move to another side to be the main man.
His ability to mark overhead would be huge for North with the departure of Ben Brown last year leaving a key forward-shaped hole in their attack.
The 21-year-old forward has only featured six times for the Giants in season 2021, booting just two majors in his time. He burst onto the scene in 2020, including two goals on debut and four goals in his follow-up match and has a great set of hands.
There isn't a huge sample size to pluck stats from for Riccardi in 2021, but his performance in 2020 shows there his undoubted talent at AFL level for David Noble to tap into should he move back home to Melbourne.
He wouldn't cost nearly as much as the other stars on this list, and would benefit from being in a young developing forward-line.
This Saint has been linked with a move away for a while, with his time at St. Kilda seemingly drawing to a close. The midfielder has been urged to make a move crosstown to the Kangaroos, and he would definitely suit David Noble's vision for the club.
The 25-year-old has been in good knick for the Saints in 2021 despite their disappointing on-field results. Billings averages 21 touches, 74.7% disposal efficiency and 3.2 intercept possessions per game.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
His quality and excellent reading of the game is what North need in midfield and Billings could be a stalwart of their core group for years to come. Money won't be an issue, with the Saints man being a restricted free agent at season's end. All there is left to do for the Roos is to table to the offer and convince him to sign on.
The 22-year-old midfielder hasn't been able to nail a role at Kardinia Park in the three seasons since he was drafted. Only appearing on 12 occasions for Chris Scott's side, it is clear Constable won't be becoming a regular in the Cats' best-22 for the rest of the season.
To kickstart his career, North Melbourne could be the go for him. Going into a young, developing side which will only get better as time goes on with the correct guidance might be just the medicine.
In his debut year of 2019, Constable averaged 21.4 disposals, 3.7 tackles and 2.9 clearances across the seven games he started, an impressive set of figures considering his age.
He won't be commanding a huge wage, meaning the Roos could secure him at a reasonable price tag. If he manages to make the switch, then things might be getting exciting in the near future around Arden Street.