ROOS STILL
NORTH Melbourne talent boss Brady Rawlings says the club’s relationship with ruckman Tristan Xerri is not “broken” despite his failed bid to become a Saint.
Xerri’s trade request came in the knowledge ex-Tiger ruckman-forward Callum Coleman-Jones was incoming and that his opportunities may be even more limited next season.
But St Kilda was unwilling to part with a future second-round selection in any potential deal.
“I was pretty clear with Tristan the whole way along,” Rawlings said.
“I understood he felt he could get more opportunity at another club – he certainly wasn’t looking to leave because of any ill-feeling towards the club or his teammates.
“He’s a 22-year-old, fourth-yearin ruckman who we’ve put a lot of time into. We just weren’t going to give him away for the level the Saints were prepared to give.
“As soon as the trade didn’t go down, at 7.31pm I called him straight away and said ‘mate, we clearly rate you higher than the other team do’.
“We’ll get back to pre-season and things will be business as usual. He might cop a bit of crap for a week or two, but that’s how footy clubs work.”
Rawlings didn’t commit to extending Xerri’s contract early and instead pointed to the Roos giving him a twoyear deal in September last year as evidence of their belief in him.
Todd Goldstein remains the club’s No.1 ruckman but is 33 and out of contract at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Rawlings foreshadowed a reduced ruck load next year for Goldstein, who is set to be used more in attack.
He’s barely missed a match in the past 12 seasons and North’s general manager of football talent said the 273-game champion would be eyeing the 300-game milestone.
“Todd’s certainly got that belief he can keep going for a number of years, so that’s certainly there and his belief in himself to keep performing at that level,” Rawlings said.
“The motivation is still there, which can drop off at times with some players when they get to that type of age, but not with the big fella.”
Outside of that trio, the Roos have 202cm project tall Jacob Edwards – the No.1 pick in the mid-season draft – and key forward Charlie Comben, who at 199cm can also go in the ruck.
The odd man out might be 29-yearold Tom Campbell, who remains without a deal.
trade didn’t go As soon as the him straight away down ... I called you we clearly rate and said ‘mate, other team do’ higher than the BRADY RAWLINGS