North Melbourne is still considering whether to tag Richmond star Dustin Martin this Saturday night, but has ruled out recalling Ben Jacobs for this vital role after the run-with midfielder suffered a minor injury setback.
Martin has been one of the competition's most damaging midfielders this season, averaging 29 possessions a game – half of them contested – over the first 10 rounds, and kicking 14 goals.
Just to add extra spice to Saturday night's contest at Etihad Stadium, North is making a massive play for the restricted free agent, with a long-term offer worth more than $1 million a season believed to be on the table for Martin.
North coach Brad Scott told reporters on Thursday every player could be "restricted to some level" by a tag, but said Martin would be a "very difficult" assignment for one player.
"(Tagging Martin) is an option. We're still weighing all those things up to be honest," Scott said.
"Dusty has been in exceptional form this year, that's clear for all to see, but I think the addition of (Josh) Caddy and (Dion) Prestia has given their midfield more depth and versatility.
"So we'll just have to weigh all those things up and probably assess it in game as well."
Jacobs has not played a senior game since round eight last year because of foot injuries, but had played three consecutive games in the VFL before pulling up with a sore ankle last weekend.
Scott said Jacobs' injury was unrelated to his foot problems, but stressed North would take a conservative approach with the 25-year-old's return to football.
"He won't play at all at any level this week. We probably planned for him to be available for AFL selection at this round, but again with his history we just want to make sure that we're ultra cautious," Scott said
"So we won't pick him at AFL level, therefore we think it's just prudent to give him another week off and hopefully he'll be available for selection after the (round 12) bye."
North has had success using Trent Dumont and Sam Gibson as run-with players at various stages this season, with Dumont spending time on opposition stars such as Patrick Dangerfield, Marcus Bontempelli and Nat Fyfe, and Gibson holding Rory Sloane to 18 touches in the Roos' round seven win over Adelaide.
Scott gave little away when asked whether Dumont or Gibson was better suited to manning Martin, saying both had "their strengths and vulnerabilities", with North focused on matching the Tigers' overall midfield mix rather than one player.
Scott said North had been unable to find room for ruckman Braydon Preuss in its team again this round despite the Queenslander's impressive recent form.
North will enter Saturday night's game having won seven of its past eight games against the Tigers, the Kangaroos' one loss during that stretch coming in round 23, 2015, when they controversially rested nine players ahead of the finals.
Richmond bolstered its list over the off-season with experienced recruits Prestia (Gold Coast) and Caddy (Geelong), and after 10 rounds sits fifth on the ladder with a 6-4 record.
Scott said the Tigers had also changed their game style "pretty significantly" this year, ensuring North's recent dominance would not count for much.
"To their credit, they've looked at ways to get better and clearly they have got better. Prior records are probably more for supporters to talk about than for coaches," he said.
"They're two very different teams this year, so we're looking forward to the challenge."
