After claiming consecutive wooden spoons, North Melbourne would be buoyed by the arrival of four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson to Arden Street.
However, Clarkson's reputation alone isn't a magic wand to wave away the issues that the club has in terms of its playing group. It will take time to rebuild the club to a point where they can challenge the big boys once again, and until then there will need to be wise recruitment and decisions made by the North Melbourne staff.
This does not detract from the fact that the club does reportedly have a massive amount of salary cap to play with, meaning that there isn't really a player in the club's sights that is off-limits due to money.
Throw in the lure of being able to play under Alastair Clarkson, and suddenly the Roos aren't a sour prospect for players to head to.
As mentioned, the group has big issues. Experience is one, so if Clarkson can address that through snaring a seasoned star in the trade period it'd go a fair way toward achieving some sort of age balance.
Secondly, someone who can provide some more run off half-back considering Aaron Hall isn't always available and Jack Ziebell is now down forward might be wise for the North recruiting staff to consider.
With this, let's delve into who the Roos could possibly target going into the off-season.
OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE,
GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND
2. Aaron Francis
Aaron Francis hasn't had many opportunities this year to impress for Essendon, his only stint being down in attack and booting four goals in as many games for the Bombers.
The 25-year-old hasn't been able to get into his groove since being taken at Pick 6 in the 2016 national draft, however has put up some decent displays in his 54 games with the Bombers since.
With a new coach set to take the helm in 2023, there may not be a spot for Francis on the list considering his lack of ability to nail down a spot in the side thus far. If reports are to be believed as of recent, then the South Australian has already seized the initiative and is already seeking a trade.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Francis would provide Clarkson with a swingman who can do the business down back but also be deployed up forward if needed too, crashing packs and snagging goals. He wouldn't take up a sizeable amount of the salary cap as well, meaning that this would be a fairly low-risk acquisition for the Roos.
