North Melbourne says “gaping holes” within Alastair Clarkson’s game plan led to the club parting ways with the veteran senior coach.
Clarkson was contracted with the club until 2027, but the Kangaroos opted to end his tenure early.
Kangaroos president Sonja Hood and head of football Todd Viney both pointed to key game plan issues when questioned on the reasons behind the decision to not proceed with Clarkson into the final year of his deal.
“I think if there was one thing that Clarko did was he tried too hard in trying to fix that, and then therefore what happens is we get into more meetings, more information, and the players at the end of the day become a little bit confused, and we don’t get the cohesion that we need to win more games,” Viney said.
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“There’s still parts of our game plan that we haven’t been able to improve in the four years, and that’s some stuff that we need to get right when we talk to the next coach to bring us in line with where the modern game is right at the moment.”
Viney also conceded that Clarkson had been run down by the investigation into racism at Hawthorn under his tenure.
“I’m not sure the scars have fully healed, to this point. He’s gone through enormous trauma,” he said.
“I’m not sure of the exact impact, but I know it’s had an affect. He’s been through a lot and he’s managed it well and coached us well, but it’s definitely had an affect.
“He’s not the same bubbly person that I knew early days.“
Despite former Kangaroos stars-turned-coaches Adam Simpson and John Longmire both being on the market, Hood said North Melbourne will run a full process to find its next coach.
Hood added that assistants already at the club who worked under Clarkson are also welcome to throw their hats in the ring for the full-time role.
When questioned over what type of coach the Kangaroos are after, Hood said: “a coach who can coach for the modern game”.
Clarkson was blindsided by the club’s decision to not proceed with him into 2027, with Hood saying he was “upset” by the call.
Despite Clarkson being Hood’s star hire four years ago, she envisages continuing in her role as president, while Viney also said he was prepared to remain at North Melbourne.
Former Swans premiership coach John Longmire (pictured) has been linked with the Kangaroos vacancy, but will need to go through a process if he wants the job. (Getty Images: Morgan Hancock)
Clarkson released a statement in response to his exit via his manager James Henderson.
“My time as coach of the North Melbourne Football Club has come to an end,” he said.
“We set out to stabilise the club and lay the foundations for a return to playing deep in September.
“The challenge was a difficult one that I embraced with my whole being.
“My family and I have been privileged to be involved in AFL football for over 40 years, but it is now time for a new chapter.”
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The Kangaroos will begin their coach search next week, and Hood said there is no timeline on when an appointment should be made official, despite the trade period taking place next month.
Hood said the Kangaroos were in a better position now than when Clarkson took over, but the club wanted more success over the next four years.
“We asked Alastair to give our club stability and strength and help return us to the top of the AFL ladder,” she said.
“Four years later, we have created an environment where our staff and players want to be at our club. This is a testament to the culture Alastair has helped create and the belief that he has built in this group.
“Although we have clearly made progress and won more games, we won’t shy away from our desire to want more from this talented group.
“We are incredibly grateful to Alastair for the work he’s done over the last four years and we wish him all the very best for his next chapter.”
Look back at North Melbourne president Sonja Hood and football boss Todd Viney’s press conference after Alastair Clarkson was relieved of his duties as Kangaroos coach.
What was going to happen next year?
Did the North Board refuse a contract extension prior to the 2027 season?
Did the want Clarkson to coach for his future?– Roos Member
From what Hood said, they determined that they weren’t going to extend Clarkson beyond 2027, therefore believed that it would be unfair to expect him to coach next season.
I think it’s the right thing to do. He has laid a foundation but it needs a new voice to get that bit more. I prefer Simmo to Horse and think he could really push this group forward.
– Nathan
Hood wasn’t prepared to say they’re the preferred candidate, but both of their reactions will be interesting.
The stuff about a modern coach makes me think they’ll go for a highly-credentialled assistant.
Why get rid of a 4 time premiership coach with 1 more year left. Makes no sense. Maybe players should be held more accountable.
– Davo
It is interesting, Davo, that the players often seem to skirt responsibility with this kind of stuff.
I guess it’s easier to remove one employee than multiple. At the end of the day, this is a players’ league.
Under Clarkson, North won 20 of its 82 AFL matches, including nine this season. Clarkson took over the Kangaroos after the club had collected back-to-back wooden spoons in 2022 and 2021, while also finishing second-last in 2020.
North has not made the finals in a decade, when the club made consecutive preliminary finals in 2014 and 2015 and an elimination final in 2016 under Brad Scott.
The 2026 season was North’s best under Clarkson, and most successful since 2019, with the Kangaroos finishing 14th on the ladder with nine wins.
dan