North Melbourne and Alastair Clarkson Part Ways After Four AFL Seasons

North Melbourne has officially parted ways with head coach Alastair Clarkson following four AFL seasons in charge at Arden Street. Despite being under contract with the Kangaroos until 2027, the club decided to bring his tenure to an early conclusion after failing to reach the finals under his management.

Clarkson, who previously coached Hawthorn to four AFL premierships, was unable to replicate that championship success with North Melbourne. During his four-year stint, he recorded 20 victories from 82 matches. The team's final campaign under his guidance proved to be its most successful, as North Melbourne secured nine wins to finish 14th on the ladder, marking the club's best season result since 2019.

Decade-Long Finals Drought Continues

Clarkson took control of the Kangaroos following a challenging period for the team, which included bottom-of-the-table wooden spoon finishes in 2021 and 2022, as well as a second-from-bottom finish in 2020. Despite the slight uptick in wins during his fourth year, the club could not break its long-standing postseason absence.

North Melbourne has now gone a decade without appearing in the AFL finals. The club last reached the postseason in 2015 and 2016, when former coach Brad Scott led the Kangaroos to back-to-back preliminary finals. The club has not yet announced a replacement for the head coaching role following Clarkson's departure.