NORTH Melbourne has bolstered its forward line with the addition of West Coast's Ben McKinley.

McKinley, 23, kicked 89 goals from 46 games for the Eagles but asked for a trade to his native Melbourne after appearing in just 10 this season.

He was the club's leading goalkicker in a disappointing 2008 campaign, which included his career-best haul of seven goals against Essendon, whom he supported as a youngster.

In return, West Coast has received North's fifth-round selection (No.86 overall) in next month's NAB AFL Draft.

Senior coach Brad Scott said McKinley, a second-round draftee in 2005, was an exciting prospect who could be given other opportunities despite his experience as a forward.

"He's about 185 centimetres and … we actually think he can push into the midfield a little bit more," Scott told afl.com.au's Trade Week Radio.

"He's extremely good one-on-one and he's got really clean hands.

"He's a proven goalkicker but we think he can play a variety of roles for us."

Scott also said that McKinley, who is in the final year of a law degree, had the character the club sought in its recruits.

Earlier on Friday, North traded ruckman David Hale to Hawthorn in exchange for the Hawks' end-of-round-one compensation selection and pick 71.

The Hawks also received pick 52.

Scott said the club was likely to use the compensation pick in this year's draft, even though it could be held until 2014.

Its other selections are at 17 and 35.

"We think the draft has some real talent, particularly up to the mid-30s, so we think we can get three players who'll have long futures at North Melbourne," he said.

"We're not certain about anything yet but we're really happy with those picks."