NORTH Melbourne caretaker coach Darren Crocker says he hasn't spoken with Wayne Carey about a position at the club but would happily meet with his former teammate should he express an interest in returning to Arden Street in a football role.

Crocker took the reins of the Kangaroos when Dean Laidley stepped aside from the position following the club’s loss to Adelaide in round 12 and on Thursday, Carey – the club’s greatest-ever player – voiced his approval for his successor.

"That’s nice that both a friend and a legend of our football club has come out and supported me to get the role full-time going ahead," Crocker said ahead of his team’s Eureka Game against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

Crocker added that he had only heard of Carey's endorsement earlier in the day and, despite reports he had spoken with him regarding a potential position, Crocker said the ball was in the dual premiership captain's court.

"I haven’t spoken to him about coming down to the club," he said.

"If he sees fit that he’s ready to come back and have some sort of role at the club, you know I’m more than happy to sit down and have a coffee with him and we can have a chat about that.

"But at this stage he hasn’t approached me about that and I haven’t approached him … I think it’s more for him to make the contact."

For now, Crocker is focused on beating the Tigers.

This weekend will be his fourth in charge and though the Roos have been competitive in each match, they haven't quite found enough to register their first win since round nine.

Richmond, with its own caretaker coach Jade Rawlings and just one spot below North on the ladder, does present an opportunity.

"I’d imagine both clubs would see it as a very winnable game," Crocker said.

"As far as our club’s concerned, we’ve been in a winnable position in all three games we’ve played so far and haven’t been able to get over that final hurdle.

"So that’s something that we’re looking at as a club to be able to try to take that next step this week against Jade’s mob."

Crocker said Daniel Pratt, who missed last week through suspension, was in consideration for a recall.

The club will continue its cautious approach with super-talented youngster Jesse Smith, who has battled ankle and hamstring problems.

Smith will again play in the VFL reserves as part of a "strict plan in place" for his re-introduction to football, and is likely to make the step up to North Ballarat's senior side next week should he get through unscathed.