Departed premiership Hawk Liam Shiels' potential reunion with former senior coach Alastair Clarkson reportedly still has a pulse, with the veteran midfielder again linked with a potential move to Arden Street.
Shiels decided to hang up the boots in September, ending his 255-game and 14-year stint in the brown and gold, which included three premierships from 2013-2015.
His decision to retire, coupled with Clarkson's return to coaching with North Melbourne, raised suggestion that Shiels could join the second club of his career to aid Clarkson's first year at the helm of the Roos.
The likes of Jack Gunston and Luke Breust were also raised as potential targets for Clarkson to consider, however Gunston was eventually granted a move to Brisbane while Breust re-signed at Waverley.
Despite a busy off-season for the Roos - where they acquired Fremantle pair Darcy Tucker and Griffin Logue while also losing Jason Horne-Francis to Port Adelaide - they may not be done just.
In the wake of Jared Polec's surprising delisting on Wednesday, North Melbourne could now look to Shiels as a senior option for their 2023 squad.
The decision to cut ties with Polec a year prior to the end of his contract has opened an extra spot for the Roos, who have been linked to Shiels ahead of the delisted free agency and draft windows.
“I think Liam Shiels is back in the mix for a potential spot at North Melbourne. There was some interest in him around the time Alastair Clarkson was appointed," AFL.com.au' Cal Twomey told SEN on Monday.
“That's an option but it would be through the rookie draft where they've got a number of rookie picks. They've actually just opened one another rookie spot in the delisting of Jared Polec with a year to go on his lucrative deal."
Shiels would add a much-needed level of seniority at North Melbourne, who have cut experienced quartet Jed Anderson, Kayne Turner, Josh Walker and Polec this year following their second successive 18th-place finish.
Clarkson officially began his tenure at North Melbourne this week, now set to share his time between club duties and the ongoing investigation into racism allegations during his time at Hawthorn.
Delisted free agency opened on Thursday, November 3 while the 2022 Rookie Draft will take place on Wednesday, November 30.
