Newly appointed North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has approached St Kilda’s Ben Long and West Coast’s Junior Rioli as potential recruits along with former premiership wingman and Saint Brad Hill despite not officially starting in the role until November 1.
The four-time premiership coach sounded out the trio as part of his attempts to lure talent to the team that won just two of 22 games this season.
The Saints’ Ben Long is in demand at other clubs after being best on ground in the final round.Credit:Getty
Long is yet to re-sign with the Saints, while Rioli, a premiership player in 2018, remains in discussions with the Eagles over a new contract.
Rioli is weighing up his future at the Eagles, aware other clubs including Port Adelaide are prepared to make significantly higher offers for his signature in what might be his final chance to gain a contract commensurate with his talent.
North list manager Brady Rawlings was at the Eagles from 2014 until 2019, while North’s senior executive James Gallagher dealt extensively with Rioli as a lawyer at the AFL Players Association when Rioli was suspended for two seasons for breaching the AFL’s doping code by tampering with a sample.
Hill has two years remaining on his deal with the Saints and although his performances have been inconsistent at St Kilda, the club says he remains a required player. Long played 19 games for the Saints in 2022 and was best on ground against Sydney in the final round of the season when he had a career high 27 touches.
North Melbourne players listen to new coach Alastair Clarkson at his first press conference at the club.Credit:Jason South
Clarkson has also met with No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, who chose not to sign a contract beyond next season in his first year with the Kangaroos. The club is also waiting on a decision from the AFL about draft assistance which may give them extra list spots.
Clarkson told The Age last week he had an open mind ahead of the trade period, which will be completed before he officially begins at the club. “Anyone is going to be on the radar that will help us,” he said.
Three-time premiership Hawk Liam Shiels has also been linked to a move to North, but sources close to the 31-year-old said, despite reports, Clarkson had not made any approaches to the veteran.
Shiels is unlikely to continue at the Hawks, where he is out of contract, but is in no rush to decide his next step, remaining open to playing on or moving into other roles within football. He is likely to be in demand given his character and consistency over 255 games with the Hawks.
Incoming North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson. Photo by Jason South. 19th August 2022Credit:Jason South
Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston could also be on the move with the Brisbane Lions interested, and Luke Breust is keen to extend his career beyond the end of next season when his contract ends, if not at Hawthorn then at another club. The Hawks are keen for Breust to play for them in 2023, mindful of the need for senior figures on their list.
Clarkson also sounded out players during his hiatus as coach, with sources confirming the coach approached free agents to ascertain where they were considering playing in 2023 and beyond.
Clarkson has been appointed on a five-year deal to coach the Kangaroos and his close ally Todd Viney is the club’s new football manager. Dan McPherson departed after just 10 months in the job as the club restructured with Rawlings heading up the list management and recruiting team and reporting to Viney.
The Kangaroos are hopeful of retaining out-of-contract forward Cam Zurhaar, who is weighing up interest from several rival clubs, including Essendon.
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