DEFENDER Declan Mountford has been delisted as North Melbourne continues to make space on its senior list ahead of what's expected to be a bumper trade period for the club.
North announced on Thursday Mountford, 21, would not be offered a contract in 2019 after he failed to play a senior game in his third year at the club this season.
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After debuting in 2017 and playing 12 games, the West Australian's bid to add to his senior games tally was not helped when he was forced to undergo shoulder surgery in February and subsequently suffered hamstring and ankle injuries.
Mountford's delisting means North has now moved on five players from its senior list, with
Billy Hartung, Mitch Hibberd, Daniel Nielson and Josh Williams informed last month they would not be offered new contracts.
Contracted ruckman Braydon Preuss and out-of-contract midfielder Ryan Clarke could also depart Arden St via trades to join Melbourne and Sydney respectively, while the Roos have also delisted three rookies: Tom Jeffries, Oscar Junker and Gordon Narrier.
These delistings come as North has already won commitments from out-of-contract midfielders Jared Polec (Port Adelaide) and Aaron Hall (Gold Coast) ahead of next week's NAB AFL Trade Period, while the Roos are also waiting to hear whether star West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff will accept their free agency offer, which is understood to be worth more than $8 million over seven years.
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Swans defender Nic Newman is another possible trade target after he met with the Kangaroos recently.
North football manager Cameron Joyce said it had not been an easy decision to delist Mountford.
"Declan had an unlucky start to the season with injury and unfortunately he couldn't add to his 12-game tally," Joyce said.
"Despite some good form late in the year in the VFL, we had to make a very tough decision.
"The club wishes him the very best for his future endeavours."
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Recruited with pick No.60 in 2015's NAB AFL Draft, Mountford debuted in round one last year and played North's final 11 games of the season, spending most of his time in defence.
Blessed with a good mix of endurance and pace, he also proved an effective run-with midfielder.
North defender Alex Morgan also remains out of contract and will likely have to wait until the end of the Trade Period on October 17 before learning whether he will be offered a new contract.
