Jon Ralph reports…
North Melbourne will back Melbourne to battle again next year after agreeing to a risky pick swap that sees them hand over pick 8 this year.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Roos will give up their No.8 pick this year but get Melbourne’s 26 and 50, and receive the Demons first-rounder next year.
The Roos will win from a points perspective even if the Demons win the Grand Final next year, effectively getting three picks for one.
But if the Demons finish mid-table or worse, they will cash in with a huge pick haul.
The Roos believe the draft is particularly even this year so could select the same type of player with pick 26.
They could also move up the draft again, now having 26, 27, 47 and 50.
The deal will hand Melbourne picks 3 and eight in this year’s draft, a bumper haul that could also see them handing those picks to another club for an established player.
The Roos have had a quiet trade week given no interest in Mason Wood, but will back in their established talent to rise up the ladder.