The crucial cogs of AFL's Round 7: Which players need to be the difference makers?
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
Greater Western Sydney young gun Josh Kelly is reportedly the target of a multi-year, multi-million dollar recruiting raid by North Melbourne.
Several media outlets reported on Tuesday that the Roos have tabled a nine-year, $9 million deal in a bid to lure the sublimely talented Victorian midfielder home at the end of the AFL season.
Kelly, whose father Phil played 61 games for North between 1981 and 1985, was the second overall pick at the 2013 draft.
It is understood the Roos have significant interest in recruiting the 22-year-old who has played 62 games since he was drafted.
But both the length and value of the offer have been disputed.
The reported offer is of a similar nature to mega-deals signed by Lance Franklin, who was lured from Hawthorn to Sydney, and Tom Boyd, who became a premiership player for the Western Bulldogs after departing the Giants.
Speculation about North’s audacious bid surfaced ahead of the Giants’ 102-point belting of Gold Coast at the weekend.
“I heard there was a long-term offer on the table, and look, to be totally honest it’s not unexpected,” GWS coach Leon Cameron told Fox Footy.
“He’s a terrific player for us, he’s in our leadership group for that reason.
“His contract negotiations have been going on for a couple of months now. They’re really close and he’s really happy here.
“But there’s no doubt there’s going to be some speculation because there’s probably three or four or half a dozen clubs that would be interested in having a player like Josh Kelly.
“I’m really confident we can get that deal done and he’s here for the right reason.”
North Melbourne host the Giants in Hobart on Saturday.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
Jesse Hogan's striking charge was thrown out by the tribunal citing that negligible contact was made with Carlton's Lewis Young. AFL 360's Mark Robinson…
GWS captain Toby Greene has been suspended for the eighth time in his career after failing in his bid to clear himself of a…
Damien Hardwick has predicted Toby Greene's one-match suspension will be upheld by the AFL tribunal, but the triple-premiership coach says he wouldn't ban the…
Jonathan Brown has made a passionate plea to the AFL on On the Couch to give players leeway as they make split-second decisions, following…
Toby Greene has been offered a one-game suspension after making high contact with Carlton's Jordan Boyd, adding to his list of bans in recent…