North Melbourne remains "in the mix" for Port Adelaide star Dan Houston, while negotiations continue to bring Swans champion Luke Parker to Arden Street, head of football talent Brady Rawlings says.
Two-time All Australian Houston is in high demand after requesting a trade to Victoria, with the Roos competing to acquire the talented half-back's services during the 2024 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.
"I'd say we're in the mix, we're really keen to bring him into the footy club," Rawlings said of Houston.
"The main thing for us is to put something to Port that is attractive for them. Clearly they've got a lot to weigh up with some other clubs coming hard as well.
"We've met with Dan - it's not like he's chosen one club and has only met with them, he's met with all of us ... we'll see what we can do."
Rawlings said the Roos and Sydney remain a "fair way apart" in completing a deal for Parker.
North Melbourne has been clear about its aim to add experience during the trade period, beginning by landing veteran forward Jack Darling from West Coast earlier this week.
"We entered this trade period pretty keen to add some extra experience to our group. We've done that with Jack Darling and we're keen to do it with Luke Parker," Rawlings said.
"For us, it's got to be something that doesn't dilute our draft hand too much ... both players (Darling and Parker) are keen to extend their careers at North Melbourne but when it comes to the value, we've just got to be careful.
"We're quite a fair way apart (in our negotiations with Sydney, but) there's still a fair bit of time left in the trade period. It has to be the right price for us, otherwise we'll have to move on.
"The Swans have a contracted player there and are going to have a certain stance on what they'd take for him to let him go ... we've got to weigh that up."
North Melbourne currently holds picks 2, 25, 44, 62 in this year's draft, but Rawlings says a 'small slide' back from the second overall pick is a possibility the Roos will consider.
"We'd be interested in a small slide potentially if we were able to get some really good currency for it," he said.
"But the beauty about that is that if nothing comes, we're more than happy to pick at two and we'll get a terrific player there ... we're in a pretty good position either way."
