COACH Brad Scott has confirmed North Melbourne's interest in out-of-contract Essendon key defender Jake Carlisle.

Carlisle has been heavily linked to a move away from Essendon after three years of supplements scandal woes, with St Kilda, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs among a host of interested clubs.

Coaches regularly use very guarded language when discussing players at other clubs, particularly during the season.

But asked whether he was interested in the tall swingman, Scott gave his intention to compete for his signing.

"[Carlisle is] one of the players that we'd like to add," Scott said.

"Like every club, we're looking at all sorts of different options to improve our list and 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, but as far as I'm aware that hasn't happened yet."

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Speculation on Carlisle's playing future ramped up this month when News Corp reported he yelled: "This club is f****d" during the Bombers' round 19 capitulation to GWS.

Carlisle is one of the 34 current and past Essendon players still subject to the WADA appeal of the club's supplements regime, with a hearing to take place in November.

The Roos have also been linked to Giant Adam Treloar and Cat Steven Motlop, but Scott hosed down the speculation, saying the reports were media creations. 

"We haven't said anything about either of [Treloar or Motlop], it's you guys who say all that, so maybe you can tell me (whether North is still in the race for them)," he said.