STAR EAGLE RE-SIGNS
NORTH Melbourne will up the ante for Greater Western Sydney midfield jet Josh Kelly after its blockbuster bid for West Coast running machine Andrew Gaff failed yesterday.
The Roos missed out on another priority midfield target when Gaff made the loyal call to turn down the Kangaroos’ $1.2 million-a-year offer to remain with the Eagles.
West Coast’s offer for Gaff was believed to be between $300,000 and $400,000 a year less than the Roos’ wage, costing the Oakleigh product more than $2 million to stay in the west.
While Gaff’s signature is a huge boost to West Coast’s bid for back-to-back premierships next season, North will immediately turn its attention back to landing slick midfielder Kelly.
After missing out on his prized signature one year ago, North will seek board approval to once again try to tempt the left-footer to Arden St with one of the richest long-term deals in the game’s history.
The Kangaroos are desperate to land a big-name midfield recruit after missing out on Richmond’s Dustin Martin, Collingwood’s Adam Treloar, Jordan de Goey and Swan Isaac Heeney in recent years.
Undeterred by the disappointing misses, North Melbourne will push on with their recruiting strategy next year, believing the big-money bids for established A-Grade talent will be successful and ultimately support the club’s quest for its next flag.
Kelly is widely recognised as one of the AFL’s most polished midfielders and, would command more than $1.5 million a year to change clubs next season.