North Melbourne have reportedly tabled an early third-round pick to Carlton as negotiations for contracted utility Zac Fisher commence.
After touring the Roos’ facilities at Arden Street, Fisher lodged a trade request to become a North Melbourne player despite his contract with the Blues running for a further two years.
Having only played a dozen games under senior coach Michael Voss this season, the Western Australian has been given the green light to assess his options elsewhere, with the Kangaroos emerging as a keen suitor.
North Melbourne are set for a busy player movement period over the coming nine days, with free agent pair Todd Goldstein and Ben McKay both expected to move to Essendon, while off-contract Sydney midfielder Dylan Stephens is tipped to head to Victoria and land with the Roos as early as this week.
The pursuit of Fisher is another piece of trade business Roos list manager Brady Rawlings and his team will be looking to tick off, with negotiations with the Blues understood to be underway.
According to AFL.com.au, North Melbourne have tabled Carlton Pick 42 at this year’s National Draft for Fisher, which is their earlier selection outside of their three first-round picks currently at their disposal.
The Roos also have Picks 54 and 62, as well as their entire hand for next year’s draft and a pair of AFL assistance package picks that currently fall at the end of the first-round for 2024.
If Carlton are left unsatisfied with the offer of Pick 42, they’ll likely need to look toward North Melbourne’s 2024 hand, with any earlier selection for this year’s draft unlikely to be tabled by the Kangaroos for Fisher.
The Kangaroos might gain compensation for the loss of Goldstein, while a band one compensation selection – Pick 3 – could fall their way in McKay’s move to Tullamarine.
Sydney could demand Pick 19 from the Kangaroos or one of the other two assistance package picks in exchange for the former top five draft selection.
Carlton might be after the Roos’ future second-round selection, with later picks potentially swapping hands to please both parties.
Since his debut in 2017, Fisher has played 107 games for the Blues for a return of 53 goals.
The 2023 trade period runs from 9:00am (AEDT) on Monday, October 9 to 7:30pm on Wednesday, October 18.