North Melbourne has committed to taking Jared Polec in next month’s Rookie Draft as the club looks for more flexibility with list spots going into the National Draft. The decision means the club will need to delist Polec in Friday’s List Lodgement.

The Roos will now be able to select up to six players in the NAB AFL Draft, with the club holding picks 1, 20, 42, 47, 72 and 77. 

GM Football Brady Rawlings said the move offered greater flexibility to bring in youthful talent at next month’s draft.

“All our picks from 42 onwards will come in significantly as other clubs use earlier selections to bid on father-son and Next Generation Academy players,” Rawlings said.

“We’ve obviously got a couple of premium selections at the top end of the draft, but having more picks after that provides a great opportunity to bring in some talented players who lacked exposure over the past two COVID-affected seasons.

“Once we get past the national draft, we’ll call Jared’s name out in the rookie draft. 

“Jared’s cooperation with this list option has been appreciated and will not affect his opportunities at AFL level in any way.”

Polec, who crossed from Port Adelaide ahead of the 2019 season, put together his best campaign for the club in his first season at Arden Street, playing 22 games for the side and finishing seventh in the best and fairest.

After playing 13 games in the Covid-affected 2020 season, hamstring issues curtailed his 2021 campaign, as he managed just five senior games for the season.