North Melbourne have all but given up on trading for the coveted No.1 pick, but could still throw a spanner in West Coast’s draft plans.
The Eagles had entertained offers for the top pick, but now appear certain to take standout prospect Harley Reid in Monday’s AFL draft.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: North Melbourne eyeing big draft move.
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They are also reportedly poised to execute a live trade that will land them highly rated WA teenager Daniel Curtin.
Reports have emerged the Eagles will offer up their first-round pick in the 2024 draft, which could theoretically be pick No.1, to secure the key defender.
It could be a big price to pay, but would also land them the dream combination of Reid and Curtin.
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The Kangaroos, who hold picks No.2 and No.3, as well as 15, 17 and 18, have conceded they are out of the race for Reid, but could still blow up West Coast’s plans by taking Curtin with one of their early picks.
Curtin is looming as the pick that will shape the draft with reports suggesting he could go anywhere from pick No.2 to No.7.
Curtin is one of the top AFL draft prospects. Credit: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
7NEWS understands North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson will meet with the young defender this weekend in Perth.
“He has become a little infatuated with Dan Curtin I believe,” 7NEWS Perth reporter Ryan Daniels said on Triple M.
Meanwhile, Clarkson has had a busy off-season, travelling to the US to meet with some of the club’s younger stars, including best and fairest winner Harry Sheezel.
“We did some amazing things with sporting clubs over there, like the Golden State Warriors – we met (Warriors coach) Steve Kerr, we had a good chat to him there in his office,” Sheezel said.
“We did a lot of training out at Stanford (University) – that was incredible to go there every day and watch their college football program and their water polo.
“We were pretty fortunate to use those facilities and see how they train … just the intensity they train at and the different drills.
“Clarko was watching and we were working out how we could apply it to here.”
Sheezel said the early signs are promising, with North players “smashing their times” in time trials at the start of pre-season.
A move into the midfield looks inevitable for Sheezel, but he said for now he will continue to train as a half-back.
“We’re still looking to work that out. I might start off half-back again, or just train there in pre-season for the time being, just see where it goes,” he said.
Sheezel is also looking at Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos for motivation as he prepares for his second season in the AFL.
Daicos, last year’s Rising Star winner, showed the way for Sheezel by finishing third in the Brownlow Medal despite his late-season knee injury and playing a key role in Collingwood’s grand final win over the Brisbane Lions.
“It’s important to try to not drop off and back it up. What Nick did was incredible (this) year,” Sheezel said on Friday.
“They were obviously able to win the flag, so to have some team success like that would be incredible – that’s the main focus.”
– With AAP
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