North Melbourne is reportedly interested in acquiring the services of a respected veteran at the conclusion of this season, as the club's list remains largely inexperienced and unsuccessful, currently sitting in 18th spot on the ladder.
The Kangaroos are in search of a Luke Hodge-to-Brisbane type of acquisition, according toย The Age's Jake Niall.
Three-time Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin and Geelong premiership stalwart Joel Selwood highlight the most-respected veterans coming out of contract at this season's end, but it would appear unlikely either would consider an end-of-career move away from their respective clubs.
Niall proffered the 'less-heralded' Liam Shiels as an option for North Melbourne, with the veteran Hawk seeming a more realistic target for the desperate Roos.
The Kangaroos currently have five active listed players over the age of 30: Todd Goldstein (33), Aaron Hall (31), Jack Ziebell (31), Ben Cunnington (30) and Hugh Greenwood (30).
However, the rise of youngster Tristan Xerri and the recent acquisition of ruck-forward Callum Coleman-Jones may signal the near-end of Goldstein's time at Arden Street, with the veteran ruckman set to enter unrestricted free agency this year.
A Goldstein farewell would leave Hall, Ziebell, Cunnington and Greenwood as North Melbourne's only experienced figures.
Between those four, the Roos' leaders have very minimal finals experience or success, which only reaffirms the fledgling club's need for a respected veteran presence.
It would likely take a recruiting miracle to pry Cotchin away from Richmond or Selwood away from Geelong, hence there are serious concerns about realistic Roos targets during this year's trade and free agency period.
