AFL 2022: Alastair Clarkson determined to clear his name of racism allegations as he starts at North
Alastair Clarkson has begun his tenure as coach of North Melbourne determined to clear his name of allegations of racism in his time as coach of the Hawks.
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North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says there is more “depth and history” to some of the serious allegations made against him by some former Hawthorn players and their families.
Clarkson arrived at North’s Arden St headquarters for his first day in charge at the club on Wednesday determined to clear his name in the wake of bombshell allegations about mistreatment of First Nations players and their family members.
Clarkson said he looked forward to telling his version of events and providing some context to the contested claims when the league’s investigation commences this month.
“I’d be very, very surprised if weren’t able to put a strong case forward that these allegations have been reported in a different way to what we saw them when we were at the club,” Clarkson said.
READ WHY HAWKS PARTNER WON’T TAKE PART IN INVESTIGATION HERE.
“I really want to get through the investigation with the AFL.
“It has been a tough four or five weeks for all of us, and what we do know is that we always had the care of our players right at the highest priority of our football club.
“There is a lot more depth and history to what has transpired, but we will get a chance in the investigation to outline that.”
Clarkson initially stood aside from his new job as North coach, but said he felt it was appropriate to begin work at the club while the league’s investigation commences.
“That is a decision that has been made by the club and myself, and at the minute they are just allegations,” he said.
“We are going to defend ourselves pretty strongly in the investigation and, like anyone in this world, until the allegations are proven you should be able to get on and live your life.”
The four-time premiership coach said the investigation would become his top focus.
The league is hopeful the matter will be concluded by Christmas, but already one former player’s partner has confirmed they will not participate due to safety concerns.
“We are pleased the terms of reference have been stamped by the AFL,” Clarkson said.
“We just wait for more information about when all that will commence, but looking forward to the chance to contribute to that.
“In the meantime, we want to get on with what we need to do here.
“The investigation will take our most significant priority over the course of the next five or six weeks or however long it takes.
“In the meantime, we have a really good team of people here (to steer the club).”
GET READY FOR THE START OF NORTH MELBOURNE’S CLARKO ERA
Alastair Clarkson will begin his North Melbourne tenure at Arden St on Wednesday as he begins the most critical two-month period of his 35-year AFL career.
Clarkson’s 18 years as a paid Hawthorn employee officially came to an end on Monday with the four-time premiership coach under contract until October 31 with the Hawks.
He had been warned by Hawthorn he was not to complete any work at the Roos while under their employment.
While the Roos announced last week he had been given approval to start at Arden St on November 1 he will front up for work after Melbourne Cup Day on Wednesday.
The Roos players aren’t due back until November 21 with Clarkson and his football boss Todd Viney to use the next few weeks to set out the game plan and pre-season training plan ahead of their return.
But Clarkson is aware he will need to clear his name after damaging allegations by First Nations players and families from his time at Hawthorn.
Clarkson, Hawthorn coach Chris Fagan and Hawks staffer Jason Burt are all preparing to speak to a panel appointed by the AFL to investigate those claims after the terms of reference were set.
The inquiry will run until December 22, with Clarkson confident his version of events will see him allowed to continue his five-year deal at Arden St.
But a conduct unbecoming charge if allegations detailed in an ABC report are proved would see Clarkson going to the ends of the earth to prove his innocence.
Clarkson has told friends he would sell his house and belongings to fund the legal fees to clear his name given the importance of upholding his reputation.
Clarkson said last week he wanted the “truth” to emerge in coming months.
“Fages, myself and Jason have been through a tough time over the last four weeks and we are just pleased we have identified a platform through which we can reveal some of the truth behind this and then we get onto it,” he said.
“The bottom line is our most significant commitment we need to commit to is the investigation and Fages, Jason and myself said right from the get go we would co-operate fully with whatever the AFL put in place.”
ROOS FINALLY RESTOCK AFTER MID-SEASON EXODUS
North Melbourne will finally add to its understaffed recruiting department as a team of two plots to turbocharge the club’s rebuild with two of the first three picks in the national draft.
The Kangaroos did not replace pro personnel manager Glenn Luff, national recruiting manager Mark Finnigan or national recruiting officer Ben Birthisel when they all suddenly resigned in May, leaving only list and recruiting manager Brady Rawlings and head of player personnel Scott Clayton to carry a workload that had been designed for a team of five.
Rawlings and Clayton navigated North’s part in the mega trade — headlined by swapping the No. 1 pick and Jason Horne-Francis for No. 2 and No. 3 — as well as getting a deal done for Fremantle pair Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker.
Like most clubs, it’s believed Rawlings and Clayton have ranked Victorians Elijah Tsatas, Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw as the best three in the draft.
But with Greater Western Sydney likely to take key forward Aaron Cadman, the Roos look set to secure the top two players on their talent board (outside of Brisbane Lions father-son Will Ashcroft).
Clayton, 62, joined Arden St as a part-timer almost three years ago and has had his responsibilities increased significantly in the past six months.
The Kangaroos also paid some of their talent spotters in Western Australia and South Australia to work more hours this year so Clayton and Rawlings didn’t have to fly over as often to scout draft prospects.
The additions to Rawlings and Clayton’s team are likely to be made after November’s national draft.
The Roos are also searching for a new chief executive, with Ben Amarfio’s last official day at Arden St on Monday.
Chris Simmonds, the club’s general manager of finance and administration, will serve as interim chief executive until a permanent club boss is found.
Like Essendon, North Melbourne has outsourced the search to an external recruiting firm.
Six Degrees is in charge of North Melbourne’s hunt for Amarfio’s successor.
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