Alastair Clarkson steps down as AFL coach at North Melbourne, Brett Ratten replacement

Alastair Clarkson has walked away from his coaching role for an indefinite period as as the fallout to the Hawthorn scandal continues.

The weight of the scandal proved too much. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, 55, is stepping away from the game for an indefinite period.

Clarkson’s bombshell decision to walk away was announced on Thursday morning and sent shockwaves through the AFL world.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

North Melbourne released a statement confirming the news of Clarkson’s departure that comes just days out from round 10, a game that would have seen him coach his 400th AFL match.

“Effective immediately, North Melbourne Football Club senior coach Alastair Clarkson will step away from the club to focus on his physical and emotional wellbeing,” the statement read.

“Current club assistant coach and former AFL senior coach, Brett Ratten, will take on the role of senior coach in the interim.”

North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney addressed the media hours after Clarkson’s departure from the role came to light.

“He outlined that the previous eight months, where he’s had to deal with the Hawthorn investigation and those serious allegations and not having a voice through that period of time, has really weighed him down,” Viney said.

“He’s bravely fought on through this period to be the North senior coach. That’s a really serious role in itself.

“The reality of dealing with both over that timeframe, he felt he just couldn’t do it anymore. It’s really taken a massive toll.

“It is our firm belief he will be back this year but if you ask him and us we can’t tell you whether it’s one week or six weeks. The number one priority will be to get fit and well again.

“There’s no indications in any of the conversations yesterday that that was the end of Alastair Clarkson. We feel really confident that he just needs some time to heal.”

Clarkson is out. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

North president Sonja Hood said the club is providing Clarkson with its full support and asked that his privacy be respected at this time.

“The club is providing its full support to Alastair and we commend him for making this important decision to put his health first,” Hood said.

“Everyone involved has been deeply affected by the Hawthorn investigation and the burden on Alastair has been significant.

“We will give Alastair whatever time he needs to restore his health and look forward to welcoming him back when he is fully fit.

“We have strong leaders at our club who will step up and support and coach our team while Alastair spends time focusing on his health.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Brett Ratten’s experience and capability to coach the team in the interim.”

The AFL Coaches Association issued a statement supporting Clarkson and claiming the investigation has dragged on too long.

“The entire AFL coaching group is thinking of Alastair Clarkson today,” the statement read.

“AFL coaching is a high stress job and the AFLCA has offered Alastair its support as he steps away from the game for his mental health and wellbeing.

“Today’s announcement underscores the importance of expediting the investigation into the Hawthorn issue for all parties involved.

“It has taken too long and is taking a significant toll on those at the centre of the issue.”

Clarko and Chris Fagan (left) are at the centre of the scandal. Brett Ratten (right) will take over at North. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

North lured Clarkson out of retirement, signing him to a five-year deal ahead of the 2023 season, the deal is worth approximately $1.1 million per season.

The four-time All-Australian coach represented North Melbourne in 93 games between 1987-1995, scoring 61 goals.

As a coach, he led Hawthorn to four premierships between 2008 and 2015, winning 228 of his 390 games as Hawks mentor.

Clarkson remains at the centre of an ongoing investigation into allegations of racism from a group of First Nations players during his time as coach at Hawthorn.

He has maintained his innocence but last week blasted the Hawks and the process for failing to give him a right of reply more than eight months after the allegations were first made.

“There‘s one particular party out there that was the catalyst for all this, that haven’t been investigated at all — their governance and conduct in this whole thing, the Hawthorn Football Club, just shameful,” Clarkson said.

“Let‘s do an investigation on them and their practices and see how they go.

“All these events … just makes it a circus, someone just needs to cut through it all and take ownership of the whole process, whether that‘s from within the Hawthorn Football Club or the AFL.”

Clarkson let rip at the Hawks.

Hawthorn issued a statement, shortly after Clarkson’s comments were made, saying the club continued to co-operate fully with the AFL and independent panel.

“We completely understand that this process, and the speed at which it has been conducted, has been frustrating for everyone involved,” the statement read.

“We, like everyone, want to see this matter resolved fairly and quickly in the best interests of all.

“At every step of this process the club has complied with our obligations under AFL integrity rules and confidentiality arrangements.”

AFL World reacts to Clarko bombshell

Current Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was asked about Clarkson’s decision to walk away when he held a press conference Thursday morning.

“It is a serious thing, stepping away is a big decision … hope we can all respect his privacy,” he said.

SEN radio host Gerard Whateley believes the toll of the investigation weighed too heavily on Clarkson in his coaching return.

“The timeline is interesting isn’t it? He gets appointed in September. This story initially breaks in Grand Final week. He stands down from the position at that stage which goes for a couple of months before he returns, he had sat with the North Melbourne board and answered all of their questions and given a perspective that made them comfortable for him to re-join,” Whateley told SEN.

“The season starts in a promising manner for North Melbourne, but then as the weeks go on, as we can see, the hearts and minds aren’t fully engaged.

“There’s a despondency about Clarkson in the way that he speaks after the St Kilda game for the process that they have been denied.

“And then at his next press conference he lashed Hawthorn for its shameful conduct.

“You can sort of progressively see the weight descending on Clarkson as he gave voice to that.

“And now he’s at a point for his own wellbeing where he needs to take the time away.”

The weight of the scandal proved too much. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFL reporter Sam Edmund agreed with Whateley’s opinion, believing the scandal has taken a serious toll.

“What must be said is that this is an indefinite period as well – immediate and indefinite,” he said on SEN.

“Brett Ratten will take the reins who has had his own rollercoaster run in recent times.

“We’ve seen throughout the year some fructuous moments will Alastair as well. The run in the with the journalist at Arden Street, everything going on with the Tarryn Thomas situation, all manner of things pertaining to Jason Horne-Francis and that conversation.

“A number of things on his plate this year, but this is the most significant of them and it really paints a picture of the ongoing scrutiny that he is under and Chris Fagan as well.”

Originally published as Alastair Clarkson steps down as AFL coach at North Melbourne, Brett Ratten replacement