North Melbourne will contact Ken Hinkley and Leon Cameron about its vacant coaching position if Alastair Clarkson turns the Kangaroos down.
North’s Plan B – put on the backburner until Clarkson gives an answer – will extend to the experienced Port Adelaide senior coach and the former GWS one.
Hinkley has been adamant that he wants to remain coach of Port Adelaide next year, while Cameron wants to stay in Sydney for family reasons.
But North Melbourne is poised to ask the question of both, determined to sign an experienced leader following the failed appointments of two first-time senior coaches.
Nathan Buckley is also available, but has said he has no intention of returning to coaching next season after his decade-long stint at Collingwood ended last year.
Clarkson has been presented with a contract offer from the Kangaroos, who have made the four-time premiership coach their sole focus, while Essendon have spoken with his manager, James Henderson.
North Melbourne has not given Clarkson an ultimatum for an answer today, but have instead asked for some sort of indication and an update on where he sits.
The Clarkson camp understands the Roos eventually need to broaden their thinking, while North Melbourne now knows Clarkson is considering the Bombers approach.