North Melbourne tall Jacob Edwards, the No.1 pick from the 2021 Mid-Season Draft, is facing an uncertain future at Arden Street.
Edwards, who took part in his 2023 season review on Wednesday morning, remains unsigned beyond this season after spending two-and-a-half years on the Kangaroos' rookie list.
The 20-year-old is required to be placed on the club's senior list if he is to be handed a new deal, with rookie-listed tenures maxed out at three years.
Edwards himself is also believed to be contemplating whether he can continue to harness the passion and drive needed at the elite level after an arduous past 18 months for the club and its players, Zero Hanger understands.
The Beaumaris junior may be open to offers via delisted free agency if his time with the Kangaroos does come to an end after being unable to break into the club's senior side since joining them in June of 2021.
Edwards was overlooked at the 2020 National Draft and would return to the Sandringham Dragons for five games in an over-age campaign to land on the radar of several AFL clubs ahead of the mid-year intake.
The 202cm ruck-forward would secure his AFL dream through the competition's second Mid-Season Draft since 1993, with the Kangaroos calling his name atop the draft board.
Edwards would play one VFL game in his first year in the blue and white, with North Melbourne taking a patient approach with the key-position talent, who was still finishing school and unable to be a consistent part of the club's COVID bubble group throughout his first year.
North Melbourne would show their faith in the emerging tall come August of that year, with Edwards signing a two-year extension after just a couple of months on the club's list.
A further 15 games at the state league level would do Edwards some good in his sophomore season as he continued to hone his craft and await an AFL debut, with a further 18 VFL games coming his way this year, however again with no breakthrough.
While Edwards' best form for the Roos came in the latter stages of this season, North Melbourne are seen likely to part ways with the uncapped ruckman as they brace for a ruthless review into their 2023 season.
The Kangaroos managed to snap a 20-game losing run in the final round of their maiden campaign under senior coach Alastair Clarkson, narrowly avoiding a third successive wooden spoon finish.
Their 46-man list will shrink to 42 due to their pair of inactive list members and the two additional list spots handed to them by the AFL last year, while further openings are required to accommodate draft and trade additions over the coming months.
The club will, therefore need to cut deep when it comes to culling its list ahead of the 2024 season, with Edwards expected to be among the names on the outer.
On Monday, North Melbourne had more than a dozen players step into the off-season without contracts for next season, with free agent Ben McKay among the names yet to confirm their future.
McKay has garnered interest from several rival clubs as the Kangaroos prepare to bid farewell to the tall backman as he looks to exercise high rights as a free agent.
A decision from veteran ruckman and club icon Todd Goldstein is yet to come, with the 35-year-old open to playing on for an 18th year, but could still join Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Aaron Hall in hanging up the boots.
Goldstein's decision could influence the Roos' thinking with Edwards, with North Melbourne potentially requiring reinforcement options for first-string ruckman Tristan Xerri. Fringe ruckmen Hamish Free and Callum Coleman Jones are signed for next season.
Wingman Liam Shiels is another who may call time on his career after a one-year stint under his long-serving coach Clarkson, while fellow Hawk-turned-Roo Daniel Howe is another currently off-contract.