Newly-departed North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has lamented the AFL club's rebuild on the back of nothing over the last two years.
Once the Kangaroos let go veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito at the end of 2016, it gave them a recruiting war chest.
But stars such as Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly have rebuffed their overtures, helping create the situation where Scott presented to the board several weeks ago about North's future strategy.
As part of that submission, Scott mentioned his own future and on Friday it came to a sudden head, leading to Sunday's departure.
"I've often joked that there are not too many players who say that they want to return home to the commission buildings in Kensington and play for North Melbourne, like they do at some other clubs," Scott told AFL360.
"We had a very well-documented plan of utilising the salary cap space that we'd built up to bring some players in.
"We weren't able to bring those players in.
"Effectively, it was a rebuild on the back of nothing."
Scott said North learned some valuable lessons over the last two years and are much stronger off the field.
Still wearing a North Melbourne top - now just as a fan - the newly-departed Kangaroos coach spoke at length on Monday night about the circumstances of his sudden departure and what the future might hold.
Scott rebutted criticism that Sunday's announcement was selfish, noting he had little choice once it was leaked on Friday that he and the North board had discussed whether his time was up.
He made no apology for his run-in with TV commentator and former North player David King during Saturday's game.
North spectacularly upset the Western Bulldogs in that match and Scott said players were crying during the pre-game meeting.
Scott again insisted that he has not spoken to any club about a potential new role.
Scott had a run-in with King during three-quarter time on Saturday, bumping the commentator and clearly making some pointed comments as he ran past.
King has been critical of Scott and North.
Asked if he would like to have his time again, Scott said: "I probably would, but I don't live my life in hindsight.
"Life's full of mistakes and if you don't make mistakes, you don't get better."
Scott added that before the game, he challenged the players to overcome the high emotions of his final game in charge.
"When the majority of the room are in tears, it seemed like it might be insurmountable challenge," he said.
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