Scott was refreshingly honest in saying publicly what many industry insiders knew already, that the Roos were one of several clubs - including the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and St Kilda - in the market for the 23-year-old key position player.

Speculation of Carlisle's impending departure from the Bombers has followed the 200 centimetre swingman all season, but intensified recently when media reports surfaced that he had made negative comments about the club on the field during the round 19 diaster against Adelaide.

Several sources close to Essendon have claimed that since the parting of ways with James Hird, the club could be better positioned to keep Carlisle.

However the Bombers face a challenge to keep the versatile talent, with clubs not hiding their interest ahead of a trade period where rivals are becoming increasingly aggressive every year.

"He is one of the players that we'd like to add," Scott said when asked about Carlisle.

"Like every club, we're looking at all sorts of different options to improve our list. If the time comes that Jake decides that he wants to look at a fresh start then that's the time we'll start drilling down on that," he said.

"But as far as I'm aware, that hasn't happened yet."

Scott was also asked about whether North were in the frame two other out-of-contract targets, Geelong star Steve Motlop and GWS young gun Adam Treloar.

"We haven't said anything about either of [Treloar or Motlop]," he said.

"It's you guys [the media] who say all that, so maybe you can tell me."