North Melbourne enter their second straight off-season with the wooden spoon in one hand and the first selection at the National Draft in the other.
2021 saw the Roos recruit Jason Horne-Francis out of South Adelaide with Pick 1, a selection that was subject to stunning trade offers from Adelaide and Richmond.
North stood firm to baulk at any external advances, no matter the wealth of picks on offer for their sole selection. But should an enticing package be on the table the Roos are seen to be more likely to work through negotiations for Pick 1 this year.
Should the Roos look to move their top selection, there are certainly a handful of scenarios that could see them gain multiple draft picks, or even players, in return.
Pick 1 hasn't been traded since 2001, with Fremantle parting with their place atop the draft board to lure Trent Croad and Luke McPharlin from Hawthorn, who received Picks 20 and 36 on top of the opening pick for the 2001 National Draft, where they were able to select four-time premiership great Luke Hodge.
Now it's unlikely we'll see a pair of packages swap hands like the Dockers and Hawks did 21 years ago, but there are several scenarios that the Roos could ponder.
Here we weigh up four scenarios that could see North Melbourne depart with Pick 1 for the 2022 National Draft.
SEE ALSO: Five trade targets for North Melbourne to consider
2. Scenario 2
Player package - Fremantle
The Dockers loom as one of the busiest clubs for this off-season.
Not only do they have their sights heavily set on Melbourne ruckman Luke Jackson, but the Cockburn club may need to offload several off-contract players to accommodate the 20-year-old's anticipated pay packet to land in purple on a long-term deal.
Fremantle's interest in Jackson has seemingly opened the door for rival clubs to come calling on the likes of Blake Acres, Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue.
The latter of the trio has already been linked to Arden Street this off-season as the Roos begin their off-season planning under new coach Alastair Clarkson.
While off-contract and potentially considering a move to the east coast, the Dockers are still set to demand a decent return for the Swan Districts product, who they spent a top 10 pick on in 2016.
Then there's Acres, who like Logue isn't a free agent and will be requiring a trade to find himself a new home should he move on to a third club.
Carlton are understood to be leading the race for the ex-Saint, however the Roos are again seen as keen suitors for the wingman and could be tempted to work under Alastair Clarkson.
The Roos could see their own outside midfield stocks depleted this year, with Geelong hunting Bailey Scott, while Jed Anderson's future remains unclear beyond this year.
Should both find themselves leaving the blue and white behind, the Roos' interest in Acres should only ascend further.
The combined value of Acres and Logue isn't worth Pick 1, but a package including the pair and potentially other draft assets could balance the scales. The Roos have also been linked to Dockers midfielder Darcy Tucker, who could be added into the trade mix.
With the Dockers also needing to acquire Jackson, holding Pick 1 would only aid their negotiations with Melbourne, who will demand a war chest for their prized youngster. Perhaps a three-way trade could arise between Fremantle, Melbourne and North Melbourne?
