North Melbourne are entertaining trade offers for star forward Ben Brown, according to AFL journalist Damian Barrett.
The 27-year old is out of contract at the end of the season but does not qualify for free agency.
Speaking on The Sounding Board podcast, Barrett said that the Roos will test the market value of Brown, something he believes the club should've done with veterans Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein.
“What they should do is what they should have done last year and when they got offers, good offers, for older players like Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein, that was the time to start making decisions, not recontract them for stifling deals,” Barrett told The Sounding Board Podcast.
“They’re right to do that, but don’t then now put Ben Brown into the marketplace like they’re doing.”
Asked by co-host Craig Hutchison for clarification, Barrett replied: “Absolutely they’re shopping (Brown).
“That doesn’t marry up with the decision to keep Shaun Higgins and Todd Goldstein.
“(They’re shopping him) to the industry. Any club that wants Ben Brown, there’s a conversation to be had.
“Take that off the headline list, that’s what happens in footy. Player out of contract, other teams are interested. (North) is open to a conversation. This is what happens in footy.
“(North is) trying to see what they can get for him… Ultimately there is a draft pick value on Ben Brown in a transaction with another club.”
Brown has been below his best so far this season, booting seven goals from as many games.