NORTH Melbourne has identified unheralded Giant Aidan Corr as the player to bolster the club's defensive stocks.
The 26-year-old, who grew up in Victoria, signed a heavily back-ended, two-year deal in mid-2017 that took him through to free agency at the end of this season.
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Greater Western Sydney can match any rival offer for Corr, who joins higher-profile teammates Jeremy Cameron and Zac Williams as a restricted free agent.
AFL.com.au understands the Giants are keen to retain the 96-gamer if possible, and he won't make a decision until after the season.
However, Corr could be the latest footballer squeezed out of GWS because of its bulging salary cap – if the Roos can convince him to leave.
His 2019 season was interrupted by groin, ankle and calf issues, but he recovered to play the final six games of last year, including the Grand Final, and hasn't missed a match in 2020.
Corr's long been an important cog in the GWS defence, alongside fellow talls Phil Davis and Nick Haynes.
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The 195cm defender's versatility is highlighted in him playing on the likes of Josh Kennedy, Josh Bruce and Rory Lobb this season, as well as Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Cam Rayner and Shaun Burgoyne.
Corr's been miserly in his match-ups, too, and he's also averaging 12.1 disposals and a career-most 4.3 rebound 50s this year.
|
Aidan Corr's 2020 match-ups |
Minutes |
Disposals Conceded |
Goals conceded |
|
R1 v Esava Ratugolea (Geelong) |
32 |
1 |
0 |
|
R2 v Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne) |
46 |
3 |
0 |
|
R3 v Josh Bruce (Western Bulldogs) |
45 |
3 |
0 |
|
R4 v Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood) |
52 |
7 |
2 |
|
R5 v Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn) |
38 |
3 |
1 |
|
R6 v Todd Marshall (Port Adelaide) |
36 |
5 |
0 |
|
R7 v Cam Rayner (Brisbane) |
18 |
0 |
0 |
|
R8 v Mabior Chol (Richmond) |
24 |
0 |
0 |
|
R9 v Alex Sexton (Gold Coast) |
29 |
1 |
0 |
|
R10 v Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) |
22 |
1 |
0 |
|
R12 v Tom McCartin (Sydney) |
37 |
4 |
0 |
|
R13 v Josh Kennedy (West Coast) |
80 |
4 |
1 |
|
R14 v Rory Lobb (Fremantle) |
57 |
2 |
0 |
North Melbourne's head of player personnel, Scott Clayton, told AFL.com.au back in April that the Kangaroos were keen to add defensive talent.
Scott Thompson retired last year, Robbie Tarrant is still performing at a high level but is 31, and last year's delisted free agent signing Josh Walker, swingman Majak Daw, Ed Vickers-Willis and Sam Durdin are out of contract.
Fellow key defender Ben McKay is enjoying a promising campaign after breaking into the side in round seven, but remains unproven.
Corr would also help plug the gaping hole in the Kangaroos' mid-20s age demographic.
They are set for a major overhaul at season's end, with Clayton, list manager Glenn Luff and football boss Brady Rawlings all in their first year in their new roles and coach Rhyce Shaw also new.
North sits second-last on the ladder, which would be its worst finish in the AFL era, and has 23 players out of contract.