Newly re-signed North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says some of his playing roster, including Jarrad Waite, are in a holding pattern until the Kangaroos' recruitment plans become clear.
The cashed-up Kangaroos have made a play for Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and young Giant Josh Kelly, with a number of North players waiting on the outcome of those negotiations before knowing their future at the AFL club.
That includes former All-Australian Scott Thompson, as well as key forward Waite.
"We've got a lot of players who are in limbo due to the nature of the mechanisms we've got in front of us," Scott said.
At his contract extension announcement coach Scott said he wanted to keep 34-year-old Waite on their books if possible after he joined North from Carlton for the 2015 season.
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"I love coaching Jarrad and having him in the team and we saw from his 10 games this year that he was exceptional when he played in a variety of roles for us," Scott said.
"We've been just as impressed in what he's brought to us off-field; we'd love to have him with us next year but the club's charged with doing what's best for the short, medium and long term.
"I can't give Jarrad and others exact scenarios because we're very fluid in our list build at the moment."
Meanwhile, the club announced skipper Jack Ziebell would have surgery to repair an injured big toe on Friday.
The injury kept him from playing three games late in the season.
A number of other players will also have off-season surgery including Marley Williams (back), Sam Wright (ankle), Jy Simpkin (ankle), Braydon Preuss (shoulder), Nathan Hrovat (ankle) and Ben Brown (elbow).
