‘Hold on to your hats’: Vic rival to tempt Pies flag star with $6 million ‘life-changing’ offer

In a bombshell development, North Melbourne is expected to lob a “life-changing” offer at premiership backman Brayden Maynard to try and pry him out of Collingwood.

The 212-gamer and 2023 flag-winner is an impending free agent, and Herald Sun chief football writer Jay Clark reports the Roos will hotly pursue his services — and they won’t hold back on coin.

“North Melbourne is set to drop a massive offer on Brayden Maynard,” Clark told Fox Footy’s Super Saturday Live.

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“Hold onto your hats — it’s worth as much as six years and $5-6 million for the 28-year-old gun defender.

“Collingwood simply can’t and won’t match that sort of money. But for North Melbourne, Brayden Maynard brings the grunt, toughness, team ethos and premiership experience they need to complement that really talented midfield.

“It’s a big decision for Maynard and something he will weigh up towards the end of the year, massive money.”

Three-time Richmond premiership forward Jack Riewoldt endorsed the move from a Roos, particularly from a culture perspective.

“I like it. It’s a lot of money and (a long contract) for a 28-year-old,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.

“But if I was to go pluck a player out to go have an impact on the field, defensively he’d be really important to them.

“But then from a culture aspect and that little bit of grunt and blue-collar worker, he’d be a number one (target).

“You can’t imagine not seeing him in a Collingwood jumper. It’s a big decision; he seems like a very loyal character.

“$6 million over six years at 28 years of age is a big carrot.”

The Roos will reportedly try and pry Brayden Maynard out of Collingwood with a “life-changing” contract offer. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Dual Roos flag-winner David King said clubs are now chasing more “B-plus type players” instead of exclusively A-graders.

“I think we’re going to get used to clubs targeting that next level of player,” King told Super Saturday Live.

“It’s very difficult to get the absolute top-liner out of a club these days. You’ve got to offer ridiculous money.

“This is not ridiculous money, as silly as it sounds, for a player that can impact like this.

“He’s not a centre-forward type or a tackle breaker midfielder, so there’s a risk to it. And is (the deal) a bit longer than most?

“I think you have to get used to clubs now going after the B-plus type players, not the absolute A-grader.”

Across three games thus far in 2025, Maynard has averaged 14.0 disposals, 4.3 marks, 2.3 tackles, 2.3 inside-50s and 4.0 rebound-50s.

Clark added: “He’s a heart and soul Collingwood player, but this is money you can’t turn down, this is a life-changing offer.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s beloved in that football club, but I don’t think you can leave that sort of money on the table.”

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