AFL 2023: Alastair Clarkson writes letter to North Melbourne members

As he prepares to return to the coaches box this weekend, Alastair Clarkson has spoken about why he stepped away – and why he had to come back.

Alastair Clarkson will return to the coaches box this weekend. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Returning North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has revealed he initially thought it was a “little embarrassing” to step down from coaching and returning to the position is a “very important” step for his mental health.

In a lengthy letter to North Melbourne members days out from his return to the coaching box on Sunday against Melbourne, Clarkson detailed how he “needed to remove myself from the football treadmill”.

Clarkson wrote how he and wife Caryn noticed warning signs “regarding my physical and mental well being on numerous occasions” before realising on the Wednesday after a round 9 loss to Port Adelaide that he needed to step away from football.

The 399-game master coach handed the duties on to Brett Ratten as he focused on his health.

“The time away from the club has been difficult but imperative,” Clarkson wrote.

“Stepping aside was challenging, isolating, confronting and even a little embarrassing. I’ve now come to realise that nothing is embarrassing when it comes to addressing your physical and mental well being.”

Clarkson named chiropractor Dr David Cahill, Dr Peter Parker and neurologist Professor Stephen Davis as critical to “putting in place strategies” to aid his return.

“Ironically, returning to coaching our club is a very important part of that process,” Clarkson wrote.

Alastair Clarkson was back at Arden St last week. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Clarkson wrote that he has watched eagerly how Ratten has led the Roos and while North Melbourne has lost all 10 games in that time, four have been by a margin of a goal or less.

“Although the wins haven’t been forthcoming, we’ve taken steps forward in a number of areas,” he wrote.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back and building on the work the players and footy department have done in my absence.”

Clarkson paid tribute to his old mate Ratten and wrote he couldn’t thank the stand-in coach enough for filling in.

“Ratts’ most endearing feature has always been his sacrifice for others,” Clarkson wrote.

“Once again, he stepped forward in difficult circumstances and maintained morale and spirit within the club.”

Originally published as AFL 2023: Alastair Clarkson writes letter to North Melbourne members