Clarkson sacked as Kangaroos hunt 'coach for the modern game'

North Melbourne has parted ways with coach Alastair Clarkson after four AFL seasons.

Clarkson, who guided Hawthorn to four premierships as a coach, has been unable to lead the Kangaroos to the finals during his time at Arden Street.

Clarkson was contracted with the club until 2027, but the Kangaroos opted to end his tenure early.

Under Clarkson, North won 20 of their 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 have not made the finals in a decade, when the club made consecutive preliminary finals in 2015 and 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.