Donald's Desk: Trade Week Wrap

DANIEL Harris' request to be traded won't have a negative effect on his relationship with coach Dean Laidley or his focus on 2009, says North Melbourne's chief of football Donald McDonald.

The midfielder, who is still under contract, asked the club to put him on the table for last week's exchange period, but a deal didn't eventuate.

Ruckman Hamish McIntosh and forward Corey Jones, who signed respective three-year and two-year deals in June, were also floated but will resume when pre-season training commences on November 3.

"We said to all of the guys that it's just unfortunate that trade week throws a few of these things up, because the only time that you can actually do anything to your list is trade week and then the national draft," McDonald said.

"We've got a strong philosophy on just bringing as many young blokes into our footy club as we possibly can via the national draft, and that was our philosophy going into that trade week, to see if there was an opportunity to get more picks. And the message to the players was: 'you know what, you've got to live with it'. I think the players are starting to get used to it now."

McIntosh, who has played 57 games since his debut in 2006, was removed from trade talk on Thursday as the club clarified that it would take an exceptional offer to net him.

"At the end of the day, Hamish and his manager were not interested in going anywhere and that was really, really strong," McDonald said.

"It wasn't like the footy clubs were coming at us with deals that might have satisfied. It was futile going through the whole week. But we had our reasons for doing it and we'll stand by them.

"Hamish and (his manager) Tom Petroro understand those reasons and we've had a really good discussion about it since.

"If our supporters are concerned there might be some bad blood there or a lack of trust between our coaches and our players, well they can rest easy that that's not the case."

That also extends to Harris, who was one player targeted by Laidley when the side lost its third straight game in round 12.

The 26-year-old persevered, and was one of just six Roos to play every match in 2008.

"Daniel understands that Dean was frustrated [when he] couldn't consistently play as well as what Dean had hoped for him," McDonald said.

"Daniel felt he was trying his hardest, and [thought] was he going to be better served going elsewhere. He wanted to look at that, so we said 'alright, we'll speak to clubs'.

"But we rate him very, very highly. He's played 81 consecutive games, so Dean wouldn't be playing him if he didn't rate him.

"We've spoken with Dan and he understands the situation … He's 100-mile-an-hour now, doing everything he possible can.

"I think it's going to be a really good thing for both Daniel and Dean."