North Melbourne have taken talented ruckman Hamish McIntosh off the AFL trade table, saying there is no prospect of getting the return they were looking for.

Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley surprised by publicly throwing up the 24-year-old's name when trade week opened on Monday, saying McIntosh could leave the club if the right offer was forthcoming.

That was despite the big man having recently signed a three-year contract and having no desire for a move.

But the `Roos backtracked on Wednesday, saying he would be staying on as they were not going to get the early first round draft pick it would take to make them consider a deal.

"It became apparent that there would be no acceptable offers for Hamish McIntosh," the Kangaroos said in a statement.

"In keeping with the North Melbourne Football Club's strategy and the considerable value it places on Hamish, at no stage would the club have entertained anything other than an exceptional and outstanding offer.

"... The North Melbourne Football Club makes no apologies for taking the bold decision to explore all options with the stated aim of improving our playing list.

"This decision was consistent with a long-term list strategy developed in response to the challenges presented to all existing clubs by the entry of the two new AFL franchises."

McIntosh's manager Tom Petroro said the player had never considered leaving the `Roos and was committed to helping them achieve success for the rest of his career.

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