North Melbourne has reportedly tabled a “lengthy offer” to mastercoach Alastair Clarkson for 2023 and beyond.
The Age reports a contract of at least five years has been put to Clarkson to join the Roos and take over from caretaker Leigh Adams.
Fox Footy’s Mark Robinson said he believes the Clarkson-Kangaroos deal is “past the post.”
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“Everyone’s a little bit scared to declare it because Alastair Clarkson has got the ability to change his mind and say: ‘I’m not coaching’,” he said on 3AW.
“But the further this goes on, I find that can’t happen.”
Commentator Tim Lane said a deal between Clarkson and North Melbourne would be “exciting”.
“North Melbourne people will be ecstatic by this,” he said on 3AW.
“For them to get Clarkson back to the club, where he began his career, he also won a premiership in 2008 with a team that won before its time and that should never be forgotten.
“Clarkson’s won four flags – no ones won more since Norm Smith.
“To have him in the firing line and back at that battling club is brilliant.”
North Melbourne and GWS are both vying for four-time premiership coach’s services after he finished up at Hawthorn at the end of 2021.
Both clubs have met with Clarkson in recent weeks, with the Hawks’ mentor set to make a final call before the end of the home and away season.
It is understood the Giants are yet to officially present Clarkson with an offer.
They are reportedly still speaking with other candidates like Adem Yze (Melbourne), Adam Kingsley (Richmond) and their current caretaker Mark McVeigh.
Robinson said he believes Yze is the frontrunner to take the reins at the Giants, while Leigh Matthews said he didn’t think GWS were going as hard as the Roos for Clarkson.
“North are head hunting Alastair Clarkson,” he said on 3AW.
“I don’t think the Giants are doing that.”
Clarkson has previously said he’d make a call on his future in August, which has just over a fortnight to run.
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the Roos had gone “all in” trying to sign Clarkson earlier this month, and said the club was a “real chance” of landing his signature.
Clarkson’s manager James Henderson told McGuire that the meeting went “very well” and that it was “a worthwhile experience”.
“There is no Plan B (for North) at the moment,” McGuire said at the time.
North parted ways with former coach David Noble a month ago after just 38 games in charge and Leigh Adams has been caretaker in Noble’s absence.
Just last month reports emerged Clarkson was demanding a whopping $1.6 million a season to return to coaching, but he responded to that by calling the figure “bulls**t”.
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