For every trade target North Melbourne misses out on, coach Brad Scott says it only increases their offer for the next one.
The Kangaroos have vowed to be high-profile players in the trade market this off-season as they seek a return to finals football.
Yet their pursuit of Dustin Martin proved fruitless when the Richmond midfielder re-signed on a mega-money deal with the Tigers and another chase looks like coming up empty too.
GWS Giants midfielder Josh Kelly's manager, Paul Connors, has reportedly told the Kangaroos he will stay at the AFL expansion club.
If true, it would mean North Melbourne have missed out on their two biggest targets of the off-season.
Scott says he's undeterred.
"We made some well documented changes to our list at the end of last year to give us ultimate flexibility to be able to target some top-end talent," he told Melbourne radio station SEN.
"Our board gave the list management committee a directive to be very bold at the list management table and to be aggressive. Clearly we've been aggressive.
"Every time you miss out, while it's going to be disappointing, it just builds that war chest even further to keep being aggressive."
The long-term Kangaroos coach will continue at Arden Street until a 12th season after signing a contract extension this month.
He said people had simply "made up" rumours he was joining Gold Coast.
"You just roll your eyes and you accept you're in a speculative business," he said.
"I was fully committed to North Melbourne, there was only one caveat attached to that.
"I asked the board to go back and really do a thorough assessment on all the options whether it be full rebuild at North or we get one or two players in.
"That included speaking to the playing group as to whether they felt I was the best person to take the club forward.
"If they decided that wasn't me, then that was okay with me because I've set a really strong precedent with senior players that we will always do what is best for the club."
North Melbourne missed the finals this year for the first time since 2013.
Scott said not playing finals at least meant getting players in for post-season surgeries but watching from the sidelines made him feel jealous.
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