North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson insists he didn't mean to light fires with comments about trying to recruit Melbourne's Jack Viney and other experienced players from rival clubs.
Clarkson raised eyebrows in a radio interview last week when he confirmed media reports about the Kangaroos targeting contracted Demons vice-captain Viney as a possible off-season acquisition.
The 56-year-old also said he was interested in talking to the likes of Port Adelaide's Ollie Wines, Sydney duo Luke Parker and Dane Rampe, and GWS veteran Callan Ward.
"We're just hoping we can extract one or two of those. Jack (Viney) is part of that," Clarkson said on SEN radio on Friday.
The comments came a day after Clarkson said in a press conference he wouldn't publicly discuss trade targets or contracted players from rival clubs.
On Sunday, after North Melbourne's horror 20.18 (138) to 6.6 (42) loss to the Western Bulldogs, Clarkson said the radio discussion was purely a "philosophical" one.
He reiterated his club is seeking to recruit "leadership type of players" in the off-season.
"Are we targeting specifics? No. I could've named (Patrick) Dangerfield in there or Jeremy Cameron ... anyone possibly that can come in and help us that's in the twilight of their career to give us some leadership," Clarkson said.
"The mature-age in our list, that's where we're particularly skinny.
"So we'll continue to search for that. It wasn't meant to be throwing petrol on the fire for other clubs. That's just where we're at."
Former Hawthorn coach Clarkson likened North Melbourne's pursuit of senior recruits to Stuart Dew joining the Hawks at the end of 2007, as well as Luke Hodge and Grant Birchall moving to Brisbane in the twilight of their careers.
"We'll look to do the same sort of thing if the guys are available, but all these guys that we're talking about are all contracted to their clubs," Clarkson said.
"It's just that we're looking for a type of player ... and if they become available to come and be an asset for a footy club, then we're prepared to explore it."
North Melbourne's loss to the Bulldogs ensured the Kangaroos will finish a fifth consecutive season with no more than four wins.
Nearing the end of his second year at the helm, Clarkson is unsure how soon his team can start climbing up the ladder.
"Who knows how long it takes? Some clubs take much, much longer," he said.
"We'd like to think we've got the crystal ball to say exactly when it's going to land, but we just don't know.
"But we'll continue to search for little things in our game to try to make progress and give our supporters and players and club hope that we're on the right track."
North Melbourne will complete their 2024 campaign against finals hopefuls Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday, likely to avoid being a handed a third wooden spoon in four years.
The Kangaroos sit second from bottom, one win and percentage clear of Richmond.
