Jared Polec has struggled through his second season since joining North Melbourne late in 2018. Photo: AFL MEDIA
It’s been a difficult season for North Melbourne’s Jared Polec, dropped from the side as the Roos continued to slide down the AFL ladder, and returning to the senior line-up only after a month-long exile.
That rejection has made the 27-year-old’s football future the subject of much debate, particularly with his contract thought to be costing the Kangaroos around $700,000 per season. What could be in store now for the former Brisbane and Port Adelaide midfielder?
When he arrived at North Melbourne, two years ago, Polec looked to be a sensible acquisition for the Roos. His first season at Arden Street was impressive enough to see Polec finish seventh in the best and fairest.
That hasn’t been the case in 2020, however, for the big money recruit, who is on a deal that will keep him with the Kangaroos until 2023, according to Zero Hanger. Perhaps what will baffle the club’s supporters most is coach Rhyce Shaw’s use of Polec.
The decision to somewhat overlook someone of Polec’s pedigree wasn’t well-received by Kane Cornes, a four-time John Cahill Medal winner, who played with Polec at Port Adelaide. Cornes labelled the decision “demeaning”, especially given the length of the midfielder’s deal.
From a business standpoint, there’s a suggestion that having played Polec in non-AFL matches was a hindrance to both player and club. And given the expectation surrounding the 27-year-old following his highly-anticipated move, many supporters would have predicted a greater return from their big-money addition.
In turn, it leaves many wondering why the Kangaroos don’t opt to off-load Polec, as opposed to paying him significant amounts of money to wear a Collingwood jumper, as he did to make up the numbers in a recent scratch match.
According to Shaw, both he and Polec have held discussions that have been both open and honest concerning his career, as reported by the official AFL website.
The 27-year-old’s return has been met positively by the team’s senior coach. And if Polec can acquire regular playing time for the Roos, he’ll put himself in the frame regarding North Melbourne’s Brownlow Medal individual player vote, in which he is currently priced at 16/1 to win.
If Shaw doesn’t opt to utilise Polec, then it’s likely that there would be no shortage of interested parties, assuming they could agree on wages.
Several outlets have reported that the Kangaroos wouldn’t be opposed to letting go of the midfielder, providing they can get a rival club to agree to pay part of his current salary. Should a prospective buyer voice its interest, then Polec’s days at North Melbourne may be numbered.
Ultimately, neither Polec nor North Melbourne could look back on the 27-year-old’s second season at the club with much positivity.
While there still might be time for the midfielder’s fortunes to change, the signs aren’t looking promising, particularly given the Roos’ openness to letting him go should a suitable offer come in.
