Sport
2 September, 2026
Clarkson and Roos part ways
Alastair Clarkson and the North Melbourne Football Club have parted ways, despite the coach having a further year remaining on his contract.
Alastair Clarkson and the North Melbourne Football Club have parted ways, despite the coach having a further year remaining on his contract.
Clarkson was born and raised in the Wimmera and spoke to Wimmera Mallee News just last season about his AFL career and his memories of growing up as a country kid.
Players were called into an emergency meeting at Arden Street on Wednesday and were told that Clarkson would no longer be coaching the side.
He has held the position since 2023, winning 20 of the 82 games he has been at the helm, nine of which have been this season.
Clarkson coached at Hawthorn for 17 years, guiding the club to four premierships.
Just last month, Clarkson said he was in no hurry to push for an extension on his current five-year contract.
"All I require is a handshake and a wink and a nod, and that'll do me," he said at the time.
"I'm really here to serve the footy club ... it's not just me, but those that are in leadership positions at the club have done a really good job stabilising the footy club."