FOR THE first time since 2019, North Melbourne heads into the AFL Draft without a top three pick, let alone one in the opening round. The Kangaroos’ bold trade on night one last year means without another deal, they will first come into the fold early on night two having finished the season in 16th.

>> 100+ PROFILES: View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 16th | 5-17-1 | 76.3%
2025 PICKS: 25, 26, 46, 57
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1, ’26 R2, ’26 R3, ’26 R4, ADE ’26 R4 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, ’27 R3, ’27 R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Nil.

FIRST PICK:
Pick 25

North Melbourne has flagged some interest in trading back into round one, but will otherwise select consecutively to kick off night two. That means the Roos will essentially get the pick of what’s left after night one, likely benefitting from shock sliders the ability to reassess overnight.

With that said, there are a lot of ‘if available’ scenarios to be thrown up. Perhaps the most pertinent link for North has been Blake Thredgold, an athletic lockdown defender who impressed in the back-end of the season. He’ll be an ideal fit if he can get through the likes of Hawthorn, Fremantle, and Geelong.

Along similar lines, Louis Emmett is a key position prospect who suits the Roos’ tendency to target versatile and highly developable talls. His running ability is top notch and there is a view that despite cutting his teeth as a ruck-forward, he may well end up slotting in down back at AFL level.

Emmett’s Vic Metro teammate Archie Ludowyke is another prospect in North’s hitting zone should they be keen to add height. The athletic key forward was being pitched as a top 15 talent before his PCL injury cut things short. Clubs like GWS and Carlton may also be in for him late on night one.

One player which North Melbourne is said to be keen on outside of the key position mould is Harley Barker. Like Ludowyke, his year was cut short by a long-term knee injury but he suits a list need as the All-Australian wingman. There, his kicking and running ability make him a threat moving forward.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 26, 46, 57

With the second of their back-to-back picks, the world is North’s oyster. Much like the several other clubs with consecutive selections, they can put together a clever combination – whether that be tall and small, forward and back, inside and outside, or two similar types.

If the wing position isn’t ticked off already, Matthew LeRay would be a shrewd choice for the Roos. He was Barker’s accomplice in South Australian colours and has been working hard on his game since fully committing to football from cricket. What’s more, he can play forward, back, or on-ball at 188cm.

Should talls still be in the Roos’ sights, perhaps they can reach for a defender like Max Kondogiannis, whose intercept and rebound game ticks a lot of boxes. There’s also athletic ruck-forward Taj Murray who offers enormous raw potential and fits the mould of talls North usually targets.

Touted to make two or three selections, North could look to bolster their midfield depth later in the piece. Smaller types like Jack Dalton and Thomas Burton bring plenty of run on the inside and outside, while unique taller options include Riley Onley and Sam Swadling. Don’t rule out a player like Hugo Mikunda with his creativity, or Tasmanian Avery Thomas as intercepting support down back.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– How many key targets be left for North on night two?
– What combination will North go for with their consecutive picks?
– Will trading out of the first round this time last year come back to bite North?