NORTH Melbourne has a fight on its hands to retain Luke Delaney with at least four opposition clubs circling the out-of-contract key defender.

 

Delaney, 24, has played 23 games since joining North in the 2009 rookie draft, but in his limited AFL opportunities has shown he can go toe-to-toe with power forwards such as Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown.

 

AFL.com.au understands the Roos are keen to retain Delaney and recently put an improved offer to him.

 

But industry sources suggest North will face stiff competition for Delaney's signature, with Carlton and St Kilda leading the charge to lure him away from Aegis Park. The Brisbane Lions, who made an unsuccessful play for Delaney in last year's trade period, and Sydney Swans are also understood to have expressed interest in the 194cm, 99kg defender.

 

After playing 13 games in 2012, Delaney could not break into the Roos team until round 19 this season despite outstanding form with North's VFL affiliate North Ballarat.

 

Delaney was a solid performer in the Roos' win over Geelong in round 19 and again last round in their loss against Adelaide.

 

Delaney's younger brother, Cameron, is contracted at North to the end of 2015. But the decision he faces is complicated by the fact teammate Nathan Grima is also out of contract.

 

Grima, 28, has missed the past two matches through back soreness but, when fit, he and Scott Thompson have been North's preferred key defensive duo over the past two seasons.

 

Nonetheless, Delaney has held his spot despite Grima's return this round, with North naming four key defenders – Thompson and Lachlan Hansen are the other two – for this Saturday's clash with Essendon.

 

It is understood North is keen to retain both Grima and Delaney, but is still negotiating with Grima over the length of any new contract.

 

AFL.com.au revealed last month North faces competition for Grima's signature from Adelaide.

 

Grima has a connection to the Crows and South Australia, having been coached by Adelaide's national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie as a junior with the Tassie Mariners, and played in Central District's 2007 SANFL premiership.

 

Grima has battled knee and back injuries in his six seasons at Aegis Park and has never played more than 17 games in a season.

 

But he is on track to better that mark this year, having played 16 of North's first 19 games.