Leading AFL columnist Caroline Wilson has tipped North Melbourne to land Alastair Clarkson ahead of the GWS Giants, with the master coach nearing a call.
Clarkson has met with both the Kangaroos and Giants brass but is understood to be leaning towards the Kangaroos due to his preference of remaining in Victoria.
According to Wilson, the four-time premiership-winning coach has begun putting his team together, with former Hawks connections Todd Viney, David Rath and Luke Boyd among those sought out by Clarkson.
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“If I had to call it tonight I’d say Alastair Clarkson will be coaching North Melbourne,” she told Nine’s Footy Classified. “He will be coaching next year, that is beyond doubt.”
“Alastair has many close friends at the Kangaroos. The man who wanted the CEO job, Mark Brayshaw, who knows? Ben Amarfio mightn’t be there forever and Mark Brayshaw could be back. He’s got great makes there like Darren Crocker and Craig Sholl .
“These North people are very, very confident that they have got their man. I’m just not sure he’s prepared to go and live in western Sydney.”
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Wilson said Viney is “very much in the box seat” to flank Clarkson at his next job, with the pair having worked together at Hawthorn when the club won the 2008 premiership.
Clarkson is also understood to have sought out recently-departed Giants coach Leon Cameron and former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna about potentially joining his staff.
According to Wilson, Clarkson’s decision will “definitely” be announced next week.
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