North Melbourne is planning for big things to come on and off the field, after a bumper trade and free agency period according to CEO, Ben Amarfio.
“We’ve made some strong statements in the last couple of weeks,” Amarfio said.
“We’re all working methodically on a long-term plan. Some of those decisions have been painful to make, but they’re the decisions that will help turn the club around.”
A special panel comprising Amarfio, GM Football Brady Rawlings, Head of Player Personnel Scott Clayton and List Manager Glenn Luff, convened to answer member questions on Friday afternoon and covered a range of topics.
Clayton, who has had decades of experience in the AFL said the club was on the brink of something special as it prepares to enter the draft with its strongest hand in years.
“As much as we’ve enjoyed bringing the players in this week, we’re ready to go to the draft, which is where it gets really exciting.”
“We’ll have five picks in December. We’re so set out, and so excited.
“I fully expect media and fans to say next year, ‘Gee, North Melbourne’s exciting’.”
Luff, who spent 20 years at Champion Data before joining North, said the acquisitions of Aidan Corr, Lachie Young, Atu Bosenavulagi and Jaidyn Stephenson all fill a specific need.
“We looked at our defence and we needed to stock up there,” he said.
“We’ve been able to attract Aidan Corr, who was one of the first names on our board, and Lachie Young, who we think has been underutilised.
“The other thing we looked at was speed in the front half of the ground, and Jaidyn and Atu bring that.”