North Melbourne narrows roos coach hunt to five contenders
Xavier Clarke, North Melbourne's 43-year-old assistant, is one of five contenders presenting this week.
The Kangaroos have moved to formal presentations as they search for a coach to replace Alastair Clarkson. Xavier Clarke joined North Melbourne at the end of 2023 and is presenting this week.
The panel includes CEO Jen Watt, GM Todd Viney, football director Andrew Swallow, and Collingwood champion Steele Sidebottom. Clarke is a Northern Territory native with more than a decade of coaching experience.
He is currently completing the AFL's level four coaching course. The other four contenders are former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, Daniel Giansiracusa and David Hale from Hawthorn, and Fremantle forwards coach Jaymie Graham.
Clarke is regarded highly inside North Melbourne for his work during the transition after Clarkson left in September. He is one of the league's leading First Nations coaching figures.
- 43
- Clarke age
- more than a decade
- Coaching experience
- 5
- Final contenders
- September
- Clarkson departure
Why it mattersThe next Kangaroos coach will shape the club's direction after Clarkson's successful but turbulent tenure. The field is now down to five strong candidates.
AustraliaNorth Melbourne's appointment will influence the AFL coaching landscape and marks a key moment for the club's rebuild.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
