The AFL world is in disbelief after North Melbourne’s bid to secure Adelaide defender Nick Murray fell through — despite a more than generous offer — on the final day of the trade period.
Tensions were rising as the clock counted down, with North doing their best to convince the Crows to part with their contracted defender, tempting them with a four-pick offer.
The Kangaroos’ final offer was Pick 33, Pick 49, a 2027 first-round selection and a 2027 third-round selection. In return, they wanted Murray and a future fourth-round pick.
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However, Adelaide list boss Jarryd Roughead was unmoved, shocking industry figures and the AFL world.
“I would have thought for Nick Murray, if I can editorialise for one moment, it’s not my role, that probably could have been enough,” 7NEWS sports reporter Tom Morris said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell added: “Four picks is a fair bit, isn’t it?” with Morris noting that three of them were in the first or second round.
Player manager Liam Pickering said Murray’s value had skyrocketed and he was suddenly comparable to a former North Melbourne superstar and Brownlow medallist.
“Yeah, he’s turned into Ross Glendinning, there’s no doubt about that, over the last few weeks,” Pickering said.
“Well, he’s a good player, but he’s not worth four picks.”
Morris said: “No, he’s not quite Glen Jakovich yet,” referring to West Coast’s champion defender from the 1990s.
Mitchell said: “I feel like that might be one we look back on in time and say, you know, we could have done with a few more picks.”
AFL expert Kane Cornes said he failed to understand why Adelaide didn’t do the deal, adding that Murray would not command such value again.
Morris said it was now a wait-and-see situation as to whether Murray would even start in the side next year.
Murray has played only 78 AFL games since 2021 and managed just 11 this season.
In fact, over his past three years, he’s appeared in only 32 senior games for the Crows.
Adelaide list boss Jarryd Roughead explained the club didn’t want to lose another key defender after Jordon Butts left as a free agent.
“We’re in a win now phase. So, losing two key defenders as I’ve said is going to be quite hard. That tests our depth. So if we’re in a win-now phase, why would we give away two key defenders?” He said.
But fans were stunned by the move.
“That’s nuts from Adelaide. They robbed themselves,” one shocked fan said on social media.
Another wrote: “Oh my god, are you kidding me, how did they not take that, that is as overs as I’ve ever seen before … wow wee.”
Another said: “This is for a guy who hasn’t played more than 12 games in his last 3 years. As soon as a first rounder was mentioned, you accept that deal if you are the Crows.”
Another wrote: “Wow, surely that’s negligent on the Crows’ part not to accept. Massive overs.”
Another commented: “Oh Adelaide, you are truly stupid.”
The Crows were determined to get a top-20 pick in this year’s draft for Murray, after losing Butts to the Western Bulldogs.
Some fans defended their stance, given Murray was under contract.
“Murray is contracted, North committed a large deal, Crows very clear – he’s contracted and we have lost Butts – you need a 2027 top 20 Pick … Onus on North to get deal done for a contracted player,” one fan said.
