In the wake of North Melbourne’s failed attempt to lure Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin, the Roos may have to brace themselves for another untimely blow.
The March issue of Inside Football reports that for the first time in league history, two father-son prospects have the choice of three AFL clubs at which they can commence promising long careers.
Nick Blakey, son of John, and Bailey Scott, son of Robert, are both top-30 draft prospects and, courtesy of their fathers’ longevity in the game, have options galore.
Blakey can choose between North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans, because his father played 135 games for Fitzroy and 224 for North and the youngster is now part of the Sydney Swans Academy.
His old man is a long-time assistant coach at the Swans.
Meanwhile, Bailey Scott’s father Robert played 132 games for Geelong, 113 for North Melbourne and post-football moved to the Gold Coast, which put Bailey into the Suns’ academy.
So unfortunately for North Melbourne the odds of either boy choosing the Roos are lengthening.
Blakey, considered the better talent and possibly a top-10 pick, is expected to join the Swans given he grew up in the city, while Scott is believed to be leaning towards Geelong or Gold Coast as he has family in both places.
North has not given up the chase, but at this point the odds are against it securing either player.
The March issue of Inside Football is available now in Victoria at newsagents and Woolworths supermarkets, while it hits nation-wide shelfs on Monday March 5.