Pressure is mounting on North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson as his team struggles to find form in the 2025 AFL season. The Kangaroos suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Carlton, losing 24.9 (153) to 11.5 (71) at Marvel Stadium, leaving them with a dismal record of 1-5. Clarkson, who has a 7-35 record since taking over at Arden Street in 2023, is under scrutiny as doubts arise about his ability to turn the club's fortunes around.
Former Essendon coach James Hird weighed in on Clarkson's situation, reflecting on his own challenging experiences during his coaching career. Hird stated, "It was not a lot of fun. Obviously the Clarkson situation and my situation is very different. But in 2013 when the ASADA investigation opened, it was interesting because we had a really good year as a football team and I felt like I hadn't lost my currency with the players." Hird understands the toll that external pressures can take on a coach, especially during tough times.
As Clarkson navigates the aftermath of the Carlton match, he faces a crucial test this weekend against Port Adelaide. North Melbourne's football boss, Todd Viney, defended Clarkson amid increasing criticism, emphasizing that the coach has faced significant distractions over the past two years. "He’s had enormous distractions, unwarranted criticism, judged unfairly, it’s taken an enormous toll on him over those two years," Viney said. He believes that Clarkson is beginning to show signs of rejuvenation and still possesses the qualities that made him a successful coach.
Viney noted, "From my point of view as head of football, he sees the game as well as he ever has, the coaches forever tell me that he sees stuff that we don’t see. His attention to detail, his eye for the game, the understanding, his innovation which has always been lauded over the journey is still there." This support comes as Clarkson's future with the club hangs in the balance, with fans and analysts questioning whether he can lead the team to success.
Former West Coast coach Adam Simpson also expressed sympathy for Clarkson, acknowledging the fine line coaches must walk to motivate players. "It’s still a challenge, I thought you have six bullets you can use a year when you need to fire someone up," Simpson said. He emphasized the importance of finding the right balance between motivation and criticism, especially in a modern context where players may be more sensitive to direct feedback.
St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt urged Clarkson to rediscover the fiery passion that characterized his successful tenure at Hawthorn. Riewoldt stated, "The noise is getting louder. If you’re gonna go down, Clarko, go down swinging. Bring back the punching holes in the wall of (the) coaches’ box — the way you did it when you were winning premierships at Hawthorn." However, Simpson cautioned that such an approach might not resonate with today's players.
As Clarkson grapples with the mounting pressure, he has also faced scrutiny over his coaching style and the effectiveness of his strategies. Hird remarked, "I feel like you're watching a guy there who's lost confidence in (himself). He's a great coach, he's a four-time premiership coach, built that Hawthorn team and there's no doubt he is a great coach and he's lost that confidence in himself." This sentiment reflects the concerns of many observers who worry about Clarkson's ability to inspire his players amid their struggles.
Adding to the scrutiny, legendary coach Mick Malthouse suggested that the draw has not been favorable for North Melbourne. "He (Clarkson) needs a bit of luck to start off. I can't remember North Melbourne playing Richmond or West Coast at this stage of the year. Why? Because I thought the bottom six was supposed to play each other early," Malthouse said. He believes that a more favorable schedule could have provided the Kangaroos with the confidence boost they desperately need.
Despite the challenges, Viney remains optimistic about the club's future and the direction under Clarkson. He stated, "We’re a really strong club, we’ve got a lot of things put in place really well with our unity, our board, our executives, our football department, record membership again, profit. So a lot of things are going well so we won’t be fractured, we won’t fall into jumping at shadows with all of the noise." This determination to stay united amidst adversity will be crucial as the team prepares for their upcoming clash with Port Adelaide.
As North Melbourne heads into their match against Port Adelaide on Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Kangaroos will be looking to turn their season around and provide a much-needed boost to Clarkson's confidence. With the stakes higher than ever, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Kangaroos can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that restores hope for the rest of the season.
