North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has clarified the club's stance on players in their sights this off-season, stating the Roos are less focussed on individuals and rather "a type of player".
Clarkson made headlines last Friday after listing a host of veteran players from rival clubs who the club would love to lure to Arden Street, with the four-time premiership coach quizzed on reports linking Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney to the Kangaroos.
Viney, who is under contract, isn't expected to lodge a request to move to North Melbourne, where his father, Todd, is the football boss.
Clarkson flagged the club would be interested in luring players like Viney, Ollie Wines, Callan Ward or Dane Rampe to help fill the lacking number of experienced stalwarts on his list, with Ward the only player among the quartet not signed for 2025.
The Roos coach flagged he would be open to hearing from players of that nature who might be keen to look elsewhere, with the market of uncontracted players lacking.
When quizzed on his comments from last week following Sunday's loss to the Western Bulldogs, Clarkson said he was speaking more broadly and did not want to be "specific about any individual".
The Kangaroos coach said he may have to "just shut up" in the future, given the reaction to his insight.
"That was philosophical, what I spoke about Friday on radio. The discussions are very different to a press conference," he said.
"It's about 'where's your overall list, where do you think you're going and what do you need?'
"We're searching for leadership-type players that are in the twilight of their careers. Are we targeting specifics? No. I could've named (Patrick) Dangerfield in there or Jeremy Cameron... he's in the twilight of his career, even though he's got three or four good [years ahead of him].
"Anyone possibly that can come in and help us that's in the twilight of their career to give us some leadership (is desired). The mature-age in our list, that's where we're particularly skinny.
"So we'll continue to search for that. [My comments] weren't meant to be throwing petrol on the fire for other clubs. That's just where we're at. We did it at Hawthorn when I first arrived there, we brought in Stewy Dew.
"We're looking for a type of player, we're not being specific about any individual. If they become available to be an asset for another footy club then we'll explore it.
"We're about trying to get our club as good as we possibly can. Maybe the best thing is to just shut up and not give anything to the media at all."
Viney was asked about his future following his side's win over the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday, with the hard-nosed midfielder said to be in talks with the Demons over a potential contract extension.
Fox Footy'sย Alastair Lynch sought a comment from the premiership Demon, who denied a move away from the red and blue.
"Nah, we'll get through the season and see how it pans out," Viney said when asked if he's leaving the club.
Sydney veteran Luke Parker is another player potentially in the Kangaroos' sights, with the Swans gun said to be open to potentially joining a new club this year despite having a deal in NSW for next season.
North Melbourne currently holds 2, 22, 40, 58 and 64 in this year's AFL Draft.
