IF THE Kangaroos get their way the next Jack Riewoldt, Kade Kolodjashnij or Aaron Hall will be theirs.
In an audacious bid, North Melbourne effectively wants to own junior development of Tasmanian football, but at the same time the club has ruled out ever relocating to the island state.
The Kangaroos are lobbying the AFL to let them set up a talent academy in the country's least populous state, which would provide them with first access to all its young talent.
"[It's about] having academy programs not limited to multi-cultural and indigenous, but broader academy programs, male and female," North Melbourne chief executive Carl Dilena confirmed.
Revelations of the bold recruiting plan comes as the Kangaroos prepare to sign a new five-year deal to play three home games a season at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.
In a move that could cause angst at other clubs, Dilena believes his club should take control of Tasmanian development in a similar way to how clubs in New South Wales and Queensland have got access to talent through zone-based academy programs.
It's believed the Kangaroos will almost certainly have the entire state for multi-cultural and diversity academies – but the Roos want broader access.
"We've explored that with the AFL and with the stakeholders in Tasmania," Dilena said.
"What we'd like to do, if we can get the games deal over the line, is then concentrate on growing talent across the state.
"I think it makes sense, because there's not a concentrated focus on talent development in Tassie across the board.
"If we can bring that to the table and work with the government and AFL Tasmania, I think it'd be great for the state."
In a wide-ranging interview with AFL.com.au this week Dilena reassured Kangaroos fans that relocating to Tasmania was "completely off the table."
"It doesn't even come into our thinking, and it's something we have always dismissed and will continue to dismiss," he said.
The Roos are comfortable playing their games in the south of the state, while Hawthorn plays in Launceston.
"I think the Tasmanian public are maximising their opportunities at the moment with the two teams and the number of games they get there," he said.
North Melbourne faces the Western Bulldogs in a top of the ladder clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
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