North Melbourne coach Brad Scott is full of praise for Paul Chapman, but it’s Nick Dal Santo he wants.
Scott said at Monday’s opening of the AFL trade period that they have made their pitch to Dal Santo and it is up to the St Kilda midfielder to decide his future.
At 29, Dal Santo fits the bill for the Kangaroos as they try to break into the top eight.
Chapman will turn 32 next month and, for all his undoubted brilliance and experience, North will not recruit him.
“We think Paul Chapman is a super player, but he doesn’t really fit with what we’re after in terms of our list build,” Scott said.
“Dal Santo is the one experienced player we’re looking for at the moment.”
Dal Santo has met senior North players as part of a concerted campaign by the Kangaroos to lure him from the Saints.
But Scott said it was now out of North’s hands.
“Nick is very much in discussions with St Kilda as to what’s best for that club,” Scott said.
“Nick … wants to do what is best by St Kilda.
“Once both parties have come to an agreement as to which is the best way to go for their club, then they’ll let us know.
“We’ve registered our interest; we really like him; we think he’d fit into our playing group really well.
Scott was one of few senior coaches to attend Monday’s opening of the trade period, which runs until October 25.
He made it clear he was not looking forward to the lengthy trade period.
“If we finished today, I’m sure we’d come to a resolution,” Scott said of Dal Santo.
“The reality is, it will probably play out over the next couple of weeks.
“I’m the coach that’s slowest on the uptake, I think.
“I’m the only coach who’s been around for a couple of years who has the lack of common sense to come again.”
Asked if the trade period should be shorter, he replied: “that would make sense, but we’re going to talk about it for the next three weeks, aren’t we?
“So it’s going to keep us all in a job.”
North could recruit Dal Santo as part of a trade that sends defender Luke Delaney to the Saints.
Delaney has nominated St Kilda as his preferred club.