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.
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3. Jack Gunston
The Hawks' key forward has been in and out of the side over the last few years, but when fit is one of their very best players.
However, with the likes of Mitch Lewis and Jacob Koschitzke rising through the ranks at Waverley, it seems like it's a matter of time before three becomes a crowd in the Hawthorn forward-50.
A reunion with the coach that handed him three premierships could be the next port of call for the veteran, with Clarkson surely wanting someone who is familiar with his tactical approach to help usher in a new era at Arden Street.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Additionally, he would bring even more goals and form a scary trident with Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar to cause problems for opposition players. Despite Gunston already being linked with the Lions, with the war chest that North has he could definitely be tempted to make the switch across town to the Roos for the right money.
