By Marc McGowan
Alastair Clarkson is a lot of things.
He is a four-time premiership coach, former AFL footballer, husband and father. Clarkson’s also been called a tactical genius and master motivator.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.Credit: Getty Images
We can add hypocrite to that list, too.
Clarkson told reporters at his weekly media conference on Thursday that “we don’t comment publicly about any player”, saying doing so would not be fair for the player or opposition club.
Yet, the next day on SEN, North Melbourne’s coach listed a conga line of contracted footballers from rival teams, while confirming they wanted to “extract” Jack Viney, son of Kangaroos head of football Todd and Melbourne’s vice-captain.
Clarkson did not stop there: “Ollie Wines, we’d like to have a chat to.”
Sydney pair Luke Parker and Dane Rampe and Giant and ex-Bulldog Callan Ward also scored a mention in a broader manner as “terrific leaders who have been part of successful programs and are high-quality men”.
It was a curious change of heart from 24 hours earlier, which was why this masthead asked Clarkson after North’s 96-point thrashing from Western Bulldogs on Sunday whether he had changed his view on discussing contracted players.
He insisted that he was just being “philosophical” about player types rather than specific individuals, and added Geelong veterans Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron as two others he could have raised.
In Clarkson’s version of events, being philosophical included straight out saying he wanted to talk to Wines, who is contracted until the end of the 2026 season.
“Anyone possibly who can come in and help us, who’s in the twilight of their career, to give us some leadership [would be helpful] because in the mature age of our list, that’s where we’re particularly skinny,” Clarkson said.
“We’ll continue to search for that. [My comments were not] meant to be throwing petrol on the fire for other clubs ... it was just that we’re looking for a type of player. It wasn’t specifically about any individual, and if they become available to come and be an asset for a footy club, then we’re prepared to explore it.”
His logic makes absolute sense for a club littered with youth that has failed to emerge from the bottom two for a fifth consecutive season.
What does not make sense is how Clarkson tried to explain why he said what he did on Friday as innocently naming various players. This is how the post-match media conference played out on Sunday.
This masthead: “But you’re naming players; you knew what you were doing.”
Clarkson: “Well, we’ll just shut up and say nothing then.”
This masthead: “I’m not saying that. It’s just something in the past you haven’t liked – contracted players being discussed – yet you’ve just done it yourself.”
Clarkson: “But these guys are in the twilight of their careers. We don’t want to crowbar anyone out of their footy club … maybe the best thing is just to shut up and not give anything to the media at all, which will be to the detriment of the game, I’d reckon. So, maybe I’ll do that next time.”
Cue the icy stare.
Maybe next time he could ask Richmond coach Adem Yze, a former colleague, how he has found contracted stars Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli being discussed.
“When we’re talking about guys out of contract, like Liam Baker and Jack Graham, I get it – but when we’re talking about players who have got long-term deals, who are contracted to our footy club, that does get a little bit frustrating,” Yze said.
Heart and soul
The hyper-focus on Jack Viney and his future did not stop him from producing a huge performance for his embattled Demons in what was otherwise a meaningless match against Gold Coast.
Melbourne’s Jack Viney was best afield against Gold Coast.Credit: AFL Photos
Without Christian Petracca or Clayton Oliver, not being in great form himself and facing a strong Suns midfield, Viney responded with 30 disposals, two goals and match-highs of 13 contested possessions and nine clearances, including seven out of the centre.
No wonder Clarkson and the Roos want the 2025 free agent to hop over to Arden Street.
But it was not just the jump-off-the-page numbers that were notable.
Viney, 30, was particularly vigorous with his goal celebrations and spent the afternoon putting his head over the Sherrin, physically dominating Gold Coast – just ask Mac Andrew – and generally showing every other Melbourne player how it should be done.
He did not look like a player contemplating joining another club, but, as we know, looks and words can be deceiving.
Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch asked Viney post-match about the Roos’ interest and whether he might consider changing colours. Viney gave little away: “Nah, we’ll get through the season and see how it pans out.”
Bombers’ call the right one
The criticism targeted at Essendon coach Brad Scott for not giving retiring former captain Dyson Heppell a farewell game in Melbourne was off the mark.
This is a club derided for not having won a final for almost two decades and being too stuck in the past, yet the Bombers were still a live finals chance going into Friday night’s match against Sydney at Marvel Stadium.
People can argue whether Heppell still warranted a place in Essendon’s best side on form, but if Scott feels differently – which he clearly did – then he made the right call to leave Heppell out.
There is no room for romance when you are trying to win, or at least when you are trying to make finals. That scenario will likely be different this weekend, given the Bombers are now incredibly long odds to feature in September.
No one was kicking up a fuss when Opals legend Lauren Jackson rode the pine in her last few Olympic matches as Australia chased a medal. In reality, the decision Scott made last week was not much different.
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