Roos have cash to burn

REVEALED: Underspending means big names could be targets

NORTH Melbourne has spent only the bare minimum of its salary cap this season, adding even further clout to its remarkable surge up the ladder.

It is understood the Kangaroos have spent only 95 per cent of their $12.45 million salary cap this year, putting the club in an even stronger pos- ition to add more top-line talent to its list in October’s exchange period.

The Roos narrowly missed out on superstars Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly last year, but have surprised the competition in 2018 with seven wins from their first 11 games, ahead of today’s clash against Geelong at Kardinia Park.

An upset victory over Gee- long could elevate the rebuilding Kangas into the top four heading into their bye next weekend, defying widely held expectations Brad Scott’s men were bound for the bottom four this year.

Under new footy boss Cameron Joyce, the Roos are hoping to land another big-fish midfielder or even multiple new players in this year’s ex- change period, using money saved by underspending on the salary cap in 2017-18.

AFL rules permit clubs to spend a maximum of 105 per cent of the salary cap in any year using money that has been “banked” in the previous two years. The 5 per cent saving on this year’s salary cap allows North to use the $650,000 boost for next year, if required.

It means the Roos — who have also heavily front-ended some of their senior stars’ contracts to create even more flexibility — are in an extremely strong position to land a seven-figure star such as Kelly, GWS Giants teammate Dylan Shiel or West Coast running star Andrew Gaff.

The Roos have been widely linked to West Coast star de- fender Jeremy McGovern but it is understood the club has not made a pitch to land him and is instead focused on adding extra midfield talent.

Coach Brad Scott said the club would be very selective after landing bargain-basement midfield top-ups Paul Ahern (pick No. 69) and Billy Hartung (No. 77) over the past two seasons.