North Melbourne are said to have interest in contracted Richmond defender Nathan Broad as the Roos look to bolster their backline.
Broad is signed at Punt Road for the next 12 months, having inked a two-year deal in May last year. The three-time premiership backman has turned down external overtures with the Gold Coast Suns and Western Australia clubs in years gone by to commit to the Tigers as a one-club player.
With the market for key defenders set to be in high demand but struggling to offer top-line talent this off-season, clubs could look to the pool of contracted players and try and satisfy rivals through trading via increased bids.
The Tigers could be one side for other clubs to look at as they potentially place a focus on strengthening their draft hand for the future, with Broad to be a free agent next year and unlikely to pocket Richmond a return close to what they could get for him in 2024.
One side reportedly keen to add to its rearguard is the Kangaroos, with News Corp'sย Jay Clark revealing North Melbourne are keeping tabs on Broad this year.
"An intercepting defender the North Melbourne have got their eye on," Clark toldย The Midweek Tackleย of the Roos' list planning.
"I can tell you they've had some interest in Richmond defender Nathan Broad... They pay him decent money, a longer term contract.
"I expect 'Broady' to show an enormous amount of loyalty and stay at Richmond, but [North Melbourne] have had a crack at him."
The Roos have looked to shuffle a number of key position players through their backline this season, with all of Aidan Corr, Kallan Dawson, Charlie Comben, Toby Pink, Wil Dawson, Bigoa Nyuon and Griffin Logue relied upon this year.
North Melbourne's current draft hand consists of Picks 2, 22, 40, 58 and 66, with their middle selection potentially the most suitable in any move for a 31-year-old defender in Broad.
The Tigers already hold four top 40 selections and could add to that hand should any of Liam Baker, Jack Graham, Daniel Rioli or Shai Bolton depart, with the latter two under contract also and would demand a return of multiple early selections.
Broad remains a key piece in Adem Yze's backline however, with the Tigers a chance to be without fellow talls Josh Gibcus and Tylar Young to start the 2025 season due to ACL injuries, while veteran Dylan Grimes faces an uncertain future given his contract status and ongoing back issue.
A Swan Districts product, Broad has missed just one match this season to bring his career tally to 145 games in the yellow and black.
