Alastair Clarkson is being tipped to return to coach North Melbourne before the end of this season, reports leading AFL journalist Damian Barrett, but he will likely avoid the spectre of a clash with his former club Hawthorn.
Speaking on Nine’s Footy Classified, Barrett revealed there was a growing sense that the four-time premiership coach was starting to feel ready to return to a high pressure environment.
Clarkson last coached the Kangaroos in round nine.
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According to Barrett, Clarkson could be back in control within the next fortnight.
Clarkson stepped away from his role to focus on his mental health and well-being, following an investigation into historical racism claims at Hawthorn during his time at the helm.
Former St Kilda and Carlton coach Brett Ratten stepped in for Clarkson, but has been unable to secure a win with the Kangaroos, losing the past five games by a narrow margin.
Responding to Barrett’s report on Footy Classified, Matthew Lloyd supported Clarkson’s expected return, saying it was the right decision for the club and would be a great way for Clarkson to “get a taste” of the game again, before the next pre-season.
“I know the pressure will be straight back on him again in a sense,” Lloyd said.
“When they’ve lost 12, 13, 14, 15 in a row, I think it’s not a bad time for him to come back with a month to go.
“He has more experience than anyone.”
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While a date has not been confirmed for the four-time premiership-winning coach to return, Barrett revealed discussions between Clarkson and North Melbourne President, Dr Sonja Hood, are underway, predicting the coach would not make a return until after North’s game against Hawthorn in round 18.
That decision would shield the coach from the media circus that would undoubtedly return for a clash with his old side.
“How it looks and how it plays out for both Alastair Clarkson and North Melbourne is yet to take shape,” Barrett said.
“(However) the dialogue between Clarkson and the club has opened up… I believe he has had multiple conversations with Sonja Hood.
“I expect the club in the next two days to a week to make these plans clearer than what they are right now.
“They are really keen now, now that he is [keen].”
Barrett said that he does not believe any changes will be made internally at North Melbourne with Clarkson’s return, noting that Clarkson is happy with the direction Ratten has taken the team, with no real deviation between the two coaching styles.
“I expect those first initial days of Alastair being back for Brett to still be in charge of game day, and then build up to those first two or three weeks of his return,” Barrett told Footy Classified.
Nine journalist Sam McClure said it was “genuinely sad” to hear Clarkson would likely avoid coaching against his former club in round 18, noting Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell failed to mention his successful journey alongside Clarkson in his Hall of Fame induction speech on Tuesday.
“For me, this runs a lot deeper than the Hawthorn racism investigation,” McClure said.
“It overshadowed the fact that the club, the board had basically played a game of contractual chicken with their four-time premiership winning coach. Lost it. And there is such dissent towards each other from both parties.”
The Kangaroos will take on the Crows on Saturday in a round 16 clash at Adelaide Oval.
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