By Alex Mitchell
Incoming North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson admits he felt uncomfortable for his part in “taking hostage of the game” when Essendon undertook board-level chaos in a bid to secure his signature.
Expanding on his decision to coach the Kangaroos in 2023 and snub the Bombers and GWS, Clarkson said he was flattered by Essendon’s interest but couldn’t entertain the prospect of coaching them seriously given the haste of their move.
He instead penned a five-year deal with the club he played 93 games for between 1987 and 1995.
“(Essendon) are a big proud club, going through some tough times at the present, that’s why we gave it some consideration,” Clarkson told Fox Sports.
“But once we did and realised it’s just all too hasty … what sat really uncomfortably with me was that the whole process took hostage at the game.
“It’s right across the media and there’s just so many people in the industry that are relying on a decision to be made quickly.
“If to do my due diligence and they on me at Essendon, it would have just extended that out for another two weeks probably and I can’t go through that any further.“
Clarkson lamented the “tough and brutal” nature of the football industry that saw Bomber coach Ben Rutten effectively sacked to pursue him, but stopped short of saying Essendon’s conduct had been off-putting.
“It’s a volatile caper and you feel for everyone in it, but guess what, if you’re around long enough, you’re gonna wear it in the neck, I copped it last year,” he said.
“It’s just an unfortunate part of the game which no one really likes and particularly the poor people that are in the firing line at that point in time.“
On returning to Arden Street, Clarkson said the challenge of revitalising the struggling club for Kangaroos legends was appealing, the side not having played finals since 2016 and having won just nine games in the last three seasons.
He said he wouldn’t be coaching the Kangaroos if he didn’t believe he could lead them to a premiership.
“The old North people like the Bob Ansetts and the Ron Josephs and the Greg Millers and the Dennis Pagans and past teammates … you just know how much it means to those guys,” Clarkson said.
“There’s been a lot of instability at the club in the last last four or five years, the Demons went through it, the Bombers are going through at the present time, Hawthorn had been through it, every club does go through it.
“We just think that it’s just isolated to that club at that point in time, but every club experiences it.“
Clarkson said moving to Sydney to take the Giants job didn’t suit his family, but admitted he was impressed with the club’s pitch.
Riewoldt’s high praise for new coach Adam Kingsley
Former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt says he learned more about forward-line play from new GWS coach Adam Kingsley than any other AFL mentor.
It’s some praise from a man who kicked 467 goals before Kinglsey joined the Saints in 2011 as an assistant coach before finishing his career with 716 majors.
Riewoldt was one voice in an outpouring of approval when the Giants announced Kingsley had won the role on Monday after a 15-year coaching apprenticeship finally netted him a lead job.
NIck RiewoldtCredit:Archives
Kingsley will be unveiled as GWS coach on Tuesday, a moment that will continue to bring joy to his former protege.
“When I heard the news I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face,” Riewoldt told Fox Sports.
“I’m genuinely so happy for Adam, he has done the most remarkable apprenticeship.
“He arrived at St Kilda at a time when as a player and a group, (we) needed fresh minds, fresh voices.
“He taught me more about forward play and forward craft than than any other coach I’d had at any stage.
“For a guy that played back pocket and midfield predominantly, I think that says a lot about his ability to see all parts of the game.
“Great communicator, great motivator will be able to challenge strongly and understand what it takes to bring a great team together.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae was another high-profile figure thrilled for Kingsley, having coached with him at Richmond.
McRae had a similarly long wait for a senior role, but if his brilliant first season with the Magpies is anything to go by, the Giants might be onto a winner.
“I’m rapt for ‘Kingers’ … he’s had a long apprenticeship, similar to myself, I think 15-odd years in the system,” McRae told Fox Sports.
“I worked with him for three or four years at Richmond, he’s gonna be a huge asset for GWS.
“He’s got a huge footy, enormous footy brain and he’s a strong leader.“
AAP
