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'No idea': Shock claim emerges amid Brad Scott exit reports

Nick Dal Santo says North Melbourne players “had no idea” Brad Scott’s coaching tenure could end in the coming days until late on Friday.

Multiple reports have emerged suggesting the Kangaroos will move on from Scott to end a decade-long partnership that yielded two preliminary finals.

While the early talk pointed towards an end-of-season exit, it now appears more likely Scott will coach his final game tomorrow against the Western Bulldogs.

Dal Santo, who played three seasons with North after a successful career at St Kilda, said the club’s players were shocked.

"I know a lot of them really well – I can tell you up to 20-odd minutes ago, some of the players didn’t know anything about this,” he said on AFL Nation radio.

“They were unaware that this was even on the cards, (that) it was going to happen mid-year.

“I think they’re aware when you live in Melbourne you often find out the messages through the milkman, and the person at your coffee shop, that there’s whispers going on but they’re not aware that it was this imminent.”

Triple M first reported Scott and the Roos would part ways at the end of the season on Friday morning – 12 months before the coach’s contract is due to expire.

By the evening, a number of journalists confidently reported a break-up would take place sooner rather than later.

Scott had addressed rumours about his coaching future on Friday afternoon.

Brad Scott could coach his last game for North Melbourne on Saturday. Pic: Getty
Brad Scott could coach his last game for North Melbourne on Saturday. Pic: Getty

"I can't shed any light on that ... I think that speculation is fair, and media have got a job to do," he said.

"But the only thing I'll say about that is that my focus is on what's best for our club and that hasn't changed.

"What's best for North right at the moment is the next 24 hours and the Bulldogs.

"The bigger picture is probably for another stage, rather than a day before a game."

The Kangaroos were shattered by their five-point loss to Sydney last round with Scott ruing a costly lapse during the second quarter which left them with too much to do as the clock ticked down.

He said the team would need a more consistent performance to stop the Bulldogs.

"The Bulldogs have been an interesting team this year - they had a really good win against Richmond and then a couple of losses at Marvel against the Gold Coast and Carlton.

"We know their best is very good and they're got a lot of capable players.

"There's an element of unpredictability about them which probably strengthened our resolve to focus on our game."

with AAP