NORTH Melbourne has emerged as the leading candidate to lure Nick Dal Santo from St Kilda.

It can be revealed the Roos first approached Dal Santo’s management, Stride Sports, mid-season.

Dal Santo, 29, has told the rebuilding Saints he is happy to stay for a 13th season, but would leave to help a rival win a premiership if St Kilda decided to deal.

The three-time All-Australian has become an even more appealing trade target after an outstanding finish to the season, averaging 29 possessions in his last seven games.

Kangaroos midfield great Wayne Schwass said Dal Santo could add a major point of difference to North ­Melbourne’s hard-nosed midfield.

"Clubs probably think if you stop (Daniel) Wells and stop (Brent) Harvey, you stop North Melbourne, but if you add Dal Santo, then who do you tag?” Schwass said.

“So he’s definitely worth getting, but only if he is willing to get super-fit over summer so that can run his opponents into the ground.”

North Melbourne could land the slick left-footer in a trade or as a free agent, but the Roos’ first-round pick is off-limits.

media_camera Trade ... Luke Delaney reportedly wants out of North Melbourne.

North has committed its top pick (No.8 overall) to father-son prospect Luke McDonald.

One theory is the Roos could trade out-of-contract key backman Luke Delaney and a second-round pick (about pick No.26) for Dal Santo.

Delaney has told the Roos he wants to leave and the Saints, Brisbane Lions and Carlton are all believed to be interested.

North Melbourne is also circling Carlton livewire Eddie Betts, as the exciting Roos plot to break into the top four.

Dal Santo has a fitness clause that triggers another year in his contract next season, but that is yet to be activated.

The trigger clause could be voided on agreement by both parties, which would release the 260-gamer as an unrestricted free agent.

media_camera Livewire ... Eddie Betts is another on North Melbourne's hitlist.

St Kilda would only consider the free agency move if the compensation it received was better than what it would land in a trade.

The AFL would have to approve the move to free agency.

St Kilda has made it clear it would like to keep Dal Santo.

But it could yet part ways with one of the club’s favourite sons for a deal that would accelerate the Saints’ rebuild under coach Scott Watters.

The Saints want a key backman and more top-end midfield talent.

Dal Santo, who finished second in the Brownlow Medal two years ago, again proved to be extremely durable playing all 22 games this year.

He finished sixth in the club’s best and fairest.

St Kilda and North Melbourne declined to comment on their trade plans.

Originally published as Roos lead race for Dal Santo