The North Melbourne Kangaroos are making moves! 🦘🤝 In a surprising turn of events, the Roos have signed VFL sensation Tom Blamires, a former staff member at Collingwood, to their roster for the 2026 season. But wait, there's more to this story than meets the eye.
Blamires, a 23-year-old rising star, caught the eye of North Melbourne after a stellar 2025 season with Frankston in the VFL. He was invited to train with the Roos, and his pre-season performances, including a standout display against Melbourne, sealed the deal. But here's where it gets intriguing: Blamires isn't your typical rookie.
He's already a proven talent, having won the prestigious Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL's best young player last year. This award has become a fast-track to the AFL, with 19 consecutive winners making the leap to the big league. And Blamires is determined to continue that trend.
His stats speak for themselves: 24.5 disposals and 4.1 tackles per game in 2025, earning him a spot in the VFL Team of the Year. But it's not just his on-field prowess that makes this signing unique. Blamires has an inside track on the AFL world, having worked in commercial sales at Collingwood.
And get this—he once racked up 44 disposals against his former employers, the Magpies' VFL team, while marking Jordan De Goey! This, along with a string of impressive performances, caught the attention of multiple AFL clubs.
The Roos' move to secure Blamires comes amidst a flurry of SSP signings across the league, with Carlton, Port Adelaide, and Fremantle also bolstering their rosters. But is this a sign of desperation or a clever strategy? 🤔
With the SSP signing deadline looming on Monday, the pressure is on for clubs to finalize their lists. Will Blamires be a game-changer for North Melbourne? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure—this signing has the potential to spark some fascinating discussions among fans and experts alike. What do you think? Is Blamires the missing piece for the Roos, or is this a risky move?
