Kangaroos fill Gaff gap with Tyson

NORTH Melbourne yesterday rebounded from the shock of Andrew Gaff’s decision to stay at West Coast, bolstering its midfield with Melbourne’s Dom Tyson.

The Demons traded inside midfielder Tyson for ruckman Braydon Preuss, handing the backup a four-year deal.

The Roos will consider adding ruck backup in ex-Fremantle tall Zac Clarke, and are set to secure Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall for a late selection.

Gold Coast, which offered Tyson a five-year deal, have five picks inside 29 so may virtually let Hall go for free.

North is likely to add Jared Polec, Jasper Pittard, Tyson and Hall for basically pick 11, 62 (to Melbourne) and Preuss.

Football boss Cameron Joyce said captain Jack Ziebell would only benefit from another summer as a forward.

“We always had interest in Dom, but because of other things we were trying to do it was difficult,” he said after Tyson signed a three-year deal.

“I think he really liked the footy club and the direction it was going.

“He is a ball winner and a terrific person too. Ziebell probably ended up playing 70-30 forward, so when we really need him we can add some spark. Jack will only improve his forward craft over the pre-season and we still have the flexibility of getting him into the midfield.”

The Roos want to keep their remaining draft points for Next Generation Academy player Tarryn Thomas.