The $1.6 million man: Kangaroos ‘in box seat’ for Clarko as ‘all-in’ plan to land coach revealed

North Melbourne is reportedly “in the box seat” to land four-time Premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, but he comes at an absurd cost.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - JULY 10: Hawks head coach Alastair Clarkson looks on before the round 17 AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers at University of Tasmania Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

North Melbourne is “in the box seat” to land Alastair Clarkson, having gone “all-in” to try and land the four-time premiership coach, reports Seven.

It comes as Ross Lyon declared a return to coaching had “not been on my radar”, but said he’d take a call from the Kangaroos “out of respect” if they approached him.

Clarkson, who spent most of his playing career at Arden Street including 93 games across the 1987-95 seasons, is reportedly seeking $1.6 million a year on his next contract.

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That would blow away the current top coaches’ salaries. With the 2023 soft cap set for $6,950,000, it means the Kangaroos would be spending 23 per cent of their entire budget on Clarkson, reducing their ability to staff up around him.

For comparison, Sydney’s John Longmire is on an estimated $1m to $1.2m a year, Richmond triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick on an estimated $900,000 to $1.1 million, and West Coast’s Adam Simpson on an estimated $800,000 to $900,000.

Paul Roos’ $1.5 million per-year deal with the Demons in 2014 is widely considered the highest-paying coaching gig in football — Clarkson’s request would set a new benchmark.

While Clarkson’s intentions are not yet known, the Kangaroos are laser-focused on landing the ex-Hawks boss having parted ways with David Noble in recent weeks.

Alastair Clarkson after kicking the winning goal for the Kangaroos in his first game in 1987.

Former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson. Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The other team with a coaching vacancy, GWS, is said to be going through a thorough process and could save $1 million a year if they opt for an untried assistant instead.

“One club is going to act swiftly on Clarkson, and it’s the Kangaroos,” Tom Browne said on Seven News.

“I’m told tonight North has gone all-in on the premiership coach, the Kangaroos now in the box seat.

“The Giants are fine with this. GWS is committed to a thorough process and speaking to a range of candidates.

“Clarkson’s asking price is up to $1.6 million a season … the Giants might land Adam Yze or Adam Kingsley, for example, for a third of the price.

“Another factor with Clarkson is the soft cap. If North secure Clarkson it means they’ll spend up to 23 per cent of their capped football budget on one person – it might be worth it.”

North Melbourne held a board meeting on Wednesday with president Sonja Hood confirming progress had been made on their panel to find the next coach.

Geoff Walsh presented the findings of his review at the meeting with the club now working on its response.

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night, Lyon said he hadn’t met with anyone from North but added he’d take a call “out of respect”.

“Really simply, there’s no story here,” Lyon told Footy Classified. “I understand why I’d be linked with my past history. I currently work full-time at a property investment house and I’m a media performer. I’m a little uncomfortable talking about it because I need to comment on all clubs.

“In a sense it’s gratifying to be linked because we’ve all got an ego. I’ve got no definitive position.

“It has not been on my radar because I’ve got my hands full. Like you guys, I’m on the treadmill trying to keep up, do my property, do my media, keep up and try and have something sensible to say at some point – not that I get that all of the time.

“There’s a non-story here. I’m not canvassing and they haven’t rung.”

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan was asked on Tuesday night’s edition of AFL 360 whether he had spoken to Clarkson about the possibility of landing at North Melbourne.

“If I’d spoken to him about specifics, I don’t think it’s my place to talk them here,” McLachlan said on Fox Footy.

“I think it’s accepted that Alastair wants to coach next year – I think I’m saying things that are understood – and he’s a great coach. The rest of it’s up to him and the clubs that might be looking for a coach.

“If people thought that I was going to play out any conversation – it’s not saying yes or no – I just don’t talk about private conversations.”

Asked whether he and the league would “plant” Clarkson at Arden Street, he replied: “It won‘t be my decision. They will go through a process and they’ll get the best coach they can.

“I mean, if Alastair was available, they’d take him.

“‘Clarko’ comes with his own unique challenges – he knows that and I know that – but he‘s a genius coach and the clubs that are looking for a coach I’m sure we’ll be seeking him out.”

Clarkson praised the Kangaroos’ emerging talent on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 Extra back in May.

“Some ask ‘would you coach North?’ Yeah, yeah,” he said.

Originally published as The $1.6 million man: Kangaroos ‘in box seat’ for Clarko as ‘all-in’ plan to land coach revealed