‘Don’t believe anyone is safe’: AFL ‘furious’, exploring ‘full-scale intervention’ at Roos

The AFL is reportedly exploring a “full-scale intervention” into North Melbourne as the club falls further and further into disarray.

The Kangaroos are in disarray. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The AFL is reportedly exploring a “full-scale intervention” into North Melbourne amid the club’s struggles, according to veteran journalist Caroline Wilson.

The Roos currently sit 18th on the ladder with a percentage of 49.5 and are in the midst of a 13-game losing streak after getting smashed by Geelong by 113 points on the weekend as long-time football administrator Geoff Walsh conducts a high-level review at Arden Street.

But speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, Wilson revealed the league was already looking at stepping in to help the Roos prior to Walsh’s appointment.

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“We know that Geoff Walsh has gone in to forensically look at the football operation … I think that will be only the beginning of change at the North Melbourne Football Club,” she said.

“We all believe David Noble won’t be coaching the club — potentially by before the end of the year but certainly before next year.

“I believe the AFL is looking at a full-scale intervention into that football club. North Melbourne have become a top-order for priority for Gillon McLachlan and his team even though he has a lot of other priorities before he steps down as CEO of the AFL.

“The AFL are furious at the situation which (outgoing president) Ben Buckley has left the club in. They are furious North didn’t try and make a further foray into Tasmania under Buckley. They’re furious at the bungled coaching appointments — not just Noble — they’re not blaming Noble for this problem.

“The only person who I think they’re not critical of is the current president Sonja Hood — she’s only been in the job in six or seven months.”

In terms of McLachlan’s priorities before he steps down as CEO, Wilson thinks helping North is “almost number one”.

David Noble is under huge pressure. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“I am convinced McLachlan would‘ve liked a deal between Tasmania and North Melbourne. I think he now accepts that neither party is going to be wanting to do that,” she added.

Wilson highlighted the “AFL has form in this area under McLachlan”, pointing to how it intervened in overhauling Melbourne’s board in 2013 right before he took over from Andrew Demetriou before making key changes among those in power at Brisbane in 2014 and providing concessions to Gold Coast in 2018.

“I don’t believe anyone at the North Melbourne Football Club is safe, and I’m talking about the CEO, the list manager, the head of football, I’m not sure about the board,” she said.

“But I think what the AFL want to do is significantly reshape that football club, who are dragging down the competition, and at the moment, creating a bye.

“I’m told that the AFL certainly had knowledge of going in before it happened. The AFL have been involved in this from the start.

“The AFL at the time Walsh was approached were also asking around and trying to look for people who would come in and fix that football club.”

Wilson also reported that the Roos will be granted a priority pick at season’s end, but won’t get soft cap relief to potentially put towards the salary of a new coach.

“We very much doubt Alastair Clarkson will come in,” she said. “We know Adam Simpson had made it clear he’s not going to break his contract with West Coast. And John Longmire clearly isn’t leaving the Sydney Swans.”

Originally published as ‘Don’t believe anyone is safe’: AFL ‘furious’, exploring ‘full-scale intervention’ at Roos