Jarrad Waite has joined North Melbourne as a free agent, signing a two-year deal with the Kangaroos.
Levi Greenwood is yet to sign with North Melbourne. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott says the Kangaroos have increased the value and length of their contract offer to Levi Greenwood as the damaging midfielder weighs up rival deals.
Scott said he expected Greenwood to stay — and if he did it would almost tick off North’s off-season strategy after the Roos yesterday secured free agents Jarrad Waite from Carlton and Shaun Higgins from the Western Bulldogs.
They have also re-signed defenders Nathan Grima and Michael Firrito for 2015.
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But Scott doused criticism that North was placing all its chips on the table in an aggressive bid for next year’s premiership.
“I couldn’t disagree with that statement more,” Scott said.
He said the Roos had built the foundations for extended success, underlined by their heavy and consistent investment in recent drafts, and were not looking for a shortcut.
Greenwood was arguably North’s most improved player this season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
Scott also said he wasn’t a “massive fan of free agency as it is” despite North Melbourne landing the first two targets of this year’s period and Nick Dal Santo last October.
Greenwood’s breakout season was capped by finishing equal second in North’s best-and-fairest on Friday night, but he did not comment on his future, instead using his time at the podium to thank people at the club.
“Levi’s a critical signing for us but we’ve offered him (a deal) ... and that offer probably has changed a little bit,” Scott told ABC Grandstand.
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“Contract negotiations started early and clearly his form has warranted an increase in both financial terms and (length).
“We think we’ve got a really good offer in front of him at the moment and we’re confident he’ll accept that.”
Greenwood, 25, has spoken to Richmond, Collingwood and Western Bulldogs and it is believed those clubs have also assessed him medically.
“We’ll hopefully sign Levi Greenwood in the not too distant future and once that’s done we’ll see what other clubs have got because our strategy will largely be fulfilled,” Scott said.
Greenwood has reportedly had conversations with Richmond, Collingwood and Western Bulldogs. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
The Roos would have to facilitate a trade should the uncontracted Greenwood leave.
It also emerged yesterday Carlton was privately seething at receiving no compensation for losing Waite, who will be 32 in February, particularly as it had tabled a contract to the veteran forward and wanted him to stay.
The AFL determined that due to Waite’s age and the contract amount, the Blues did not warrant a compensatory draft pick.
ST KILDA is set to enter the race for Sydney forward Tim Membrey.
Rated by TAC Cup coach Nick Stevens as a better set shot for goal than former Carlton and Brisbane spearhead Brendan Fevola, Membrey has managed only one game in two seasons at the Swans.
Essendon and the Bulldogs are also circling.
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