North Melbourne list analysis: 10 major priorities for new coach Alastair Clarkson
These are Alastair Clarkson’s clear list priorities as he hits the ground running as new coach.
AFL
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Every list boss and player manager in football is licking their chops for that chaos that is about to unfold in the trade period.
Clubs forced to reign in their impulse to trade through Covid-inspired salary cap cuts are ready to open their cheque books like never before.
And teams have lists full of uncontracted players to add maximum flexibility amid the bombshell requests sure to come.
Now those clubs have a shark swimming in the water in the shape of Alastair Clarkson.
Let’s call him Jaws.
Because the Roos have millions in cap space, are likely to receive a welter of draft picks through a priority pick submission, and have the No.1 name in football in Clarkson.
The Roos list build will be much harder than the early days at Hawthorn when clubs were willing to hand over high picks for Jon Hay, Mark Williams and Luke Hodge.
But as Clarkson said on Friday, there are so many other avenues for clubs now, including the kind of St Kilda salary dump that could secure North Melbourne Brad Hill for a later pick.
“We need to go to the draft, there are mechanisms through free agency, through trades, but by and large we are going to get better with the people we have already got in football, coaching, admin and the players.”
These are Clarkson’s clear list priorities as he hits the ground running despite a November 1 start date.
1. SIGN UP JHF
Do everything you can in the next three months to sign up Jason-Horne Francis. Put the full court press on him because even if he plays well next year the second half of the season could be a circus given SA offers when he actually comes good.
2. SIT DOWN WITH ZURHAAR
Sit down with Cam Zurhaar and explain how you turned Jack Gunston into a dynamic third forward who twice kicked four goals in a Grand Final victory.
Sign him up long-term and reap the benefits because his combination of speed and power is exhilarating at its best.
3. LURE RUCK STAR
Kick the tyres of Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy, who surely will have his ruck time severely reduced by the arrival of Luke Jackson.
Get bold, get on a plane and at least shake the tree given he is 24 years of age and potentially unsure of his future.
4. NOT A HILL TO DIE ON
4. By all means consider Brad Hill, but if this is a deal where the Roos hand over a later pick to absorb his salary, don’t get him at all costs.
The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark reported on Friday the Roos were keen, but Hill is 29.
Aaron Hall is not without his flaws (and has been dropped this week) but he averages 23.5 disposals, 98 ranking points, 75 per cent kicking efficiency and 606 metres gained.
Hill this year averages 21 possessions, 76 ranking points, 358 metres gained and 69 per cent kicking efficiency. Don’t get sucked into available players just because they are gettable.
5. RECRUIT RIOLI
Willie Rioli. He is out of contract and clearly gettable if a club puts the right deal in front of him.
He might be open to a discussion over being closer to his relatives Maurice and Daniel at a club with strong Indigenous representation already.
He has plenty to weigh up about his own personal circumstances first, but clubs will continue to watch this space.
6. FIX KEY DEFENSIVE SHORTAGE
The key back issue doesn’t go away. We threw up Griffin Logue this week as a long-term replacement and he will come to Victoria next year.
So maybe bring in a free agent like 25-year-old Zaine Cordy as a stopgap and draft one in the top 15 after the Roos loved Josh Gibcus but had picks too early (Horne-Francis) and late in a 2021 draft with few other key position backs available.
Gibcus has made a significant first-year impact and will be at Richmond for 12 years minimum.
7. EXPERIENCED HEADS
Clarkson has already suggested on an early-season AFL 360 episode the Roos need more senior players to shepherd the youngsters through.
David Mundy screams out as a player who could add that teaching and leadership as a midfielder who doesn’t have to play centre square midfield to deny Jason Horne-Francis, Will Powell and Tom Powell onball reps.
Only Sydney’s Josh Kennedy knows if his body would fail him again but Clarkson could at least have a coffee with the former Hawk and ask if he could fill the Tom Lynch role from 2022.
As in, become a development and assistant coach while also being on the list in case of emergencies.
8. DEFENSIVE RUN
The Kangaroos’ lack of run was massively exposed with Aaron Hall out with injury, but there are ready-made targets available.
Jason Johannisen will turn 30 later this year but is a free agent keen to be settled down into a position and keen to maximise his value.
As a free agent the Roos could secure him on a three-year deal of maybe $400,000 a season + only just over the average player payment.
The list managers would know he wouldn’t be in their next premiership side but the Roos just need to get better now while they gradually get the kids to 80-100 games.
9. SMALL FORWARDS
Luke Breust surely isn’t Clarko’s man despite the premiership link, with the goalsneak keen to get to a premiership contender if he doesn’t secure a contract extension.
GWS forward Bobby Hill looks headed for Collingwood but the Roos need another genuine small forward alongside Paul Curtis and Hill might be available for only a second-round pick.
10. ASK DE GOEY
The Roos should have their next-gen midfield core with Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin, Horne-Francis, Powell, Phillips, Jed Anderson and Tarryn Thomas.
Where would Jordan De Goey fit into the equation? The Roos have cap space and he’s a free agent. The suspicion is he wants to play in front of big crowds at Collingwood.
But he is a 26-year-old free agent who wins matches. Clarkson has to at least ask the question.
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