Nick Daicos’ management says it’s open to holding talks with Tasmania.
Plus, the two new All-Australian selectors have been confirmed by the AFL, while North Melbourne’s president has responded to calls for change at board level at the club.
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THREE NEW ALL-AUS SELECTORS LOCKED IN
Luke Hodge, Joel Selwood and David Mundy are the three newest All-Australian selectors, the AFL confirmed on Thursday.
The trio, who’ve won eight premierships between them, replace the departed Nathan Buckley, Matthew Pavlich and Josh Mahoney.
“Luke, David and Joel are three of the most respected figures in the modern game,” Dillon said.
“They all enjoyed decorated playing careers, and we are delighted to have people of their experience, leadership and credibility on the panel – all essential traits in helping select the best players and team for the 2026 season.
“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank Nathan, Matthew and Josh for their dedication and service as All-Australian selectors.”
The 2026 All-Australian selection panel now comprises Andrew Dillon (Chair), Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Kane Cornes, Luke Hodge, Abbey Holmes, Glen Jakovich, Laura Kane, David Mundy, Joel Selwood and Greg Swann.
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DAICOS’ MANAGEMENT OPEN TO TASSIE TALKS
Nick Daicos’ management has admitted it’d be “negligent” not to hold talks with Tasmania about the rising superstar.
Daicos is contracted with Collingwood until 2029 — a year after the Devils are set to enter the AFL.
But the 23-year old has already been linked to the AFL’s incoming 19th club including Daicos himself saying he’d be open to rival offers when he becomes a free agent after the 2029 season.
Paul Connors of CDG Sports Management, who look after Daicos, also didn’t rule out the possibility of meeting with Tassie.
“Robbie (D’Orazio) manages him personally, but it would be remiss of us as a company not to sit down with Tassie and see what they would think,” Connors told AFL.com.au’s Gettable.
“I think Nick’s the best player in the competition, he’s a leader, he’s an outstanding person, so if you were Todd Patterson you’d be remiss if you didn’t want to have a conversation with Robbie at some stage.”
Asked if his company would be open to speaking with Tassie about Daicos, Connors said: “I think so. You’d have to be. It would be negligent not to.”
Connors was in Hobart this week for Tassie’s showcase to player agencies as part of their pitch to lure stars.
The Devils will have a $5 million sign-on bonus outside the salary cap to use over their first two years.
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ROOS PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO CALLS FOR BOARD CHANGES
There’s reportedly calls from North Melbourne members for change at board level.
SEN reports Kangaroos president Sonja Hood met with the two North members, that represent a bigger Kangaroos contingent including former directors and players, on the topic.
Those fans made reportedly it clear they wanted change at board level to give it a fresh lens and flagged taking further action if the club again started the season poorly.
Hood, a Roos board member since 2019 and president since 2022, responded by saying she had no plans to entertain such demands.
But she conceded North needed to begin showing signs of improvement on field ahead of Alastair Clarkson’s fourth season at the helm.
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“We’ve been poor in men’s football for long enough. It’s been really poor,” Dr Hood said in a statement to SEN.
“We’ve been doing everything we can to turn that around and that needs to turn around this year. No one is under any illusions about that – not the board, not the football department, not the players, no one.
“They’re expressing a frustration which is universally held. (But) if I felt making board changes would make on-field footy better, then I’d make four changes.
“But we’ve got a very strong skills-based and very experienced board who’ve delivered enormous stability to the club.
“I don’t see how changing two people around a board table does anything but create instability in an organisation whose biggest challenge for a long time has been instability.”
The Kangaroos have won just 20 of their last 130 games including five-straight bottom three finishes.
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