Currently embroiled North Melbourne head coach Alastair Clarkson is said to hold the key in the Kangaroos' pursuit of young Saint Hunter Clark.
With the 54-year-old facing a delayed start to his tenure with North after being named in a litany of harrowing allegations dating back to his days at Hawthorn, ambiguity is currently reigning at Arden Street.
Clark was originally slated to request a crosstown trade, despite still having a year to run on his deal with the Saints, but it now remains to be seen whether the former top-10 draftee will opt out or not.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Sam Edmund of SEN claimed that while Clark still harboured a desire to trade Moorabbin for a future in blue and white, Clarkson's future remained a sticking point.
“He was weighing up a move to Arden Street," Edmund said of the 23-year-old.
“But I think this might be one where the uncertainty around Alastair Clarkson might work against this particular player acquisition. Not all of them, but I think this one.
“I think the player (Clark) is overseas at the moment, so that picture will become clearer when he returns from his break.
“So, we’ll see where that one goes, the uncertainty around Alastair Clarkson might have a bearing on Hunter Clark’s future.”
Despite being plucked with the 7th pick of the 2017 National Draft, injuries and an inability to truly break through have dampened Clark's value at the trade table, with previous reports suggesting a second-round selection will be enough to land the vaunted junior.
At present, North Melbourne is currently armed with picks 1, 55, 66 and 73 in an effort to broker a deal.