Clarkson favourite to replace Noble as North Melbourne coach

July 13, 2022 12:33 pm.by Brendan Bunworth

Clarkson favourite for Roos job — Alastair Clarkson is the bookies’ favourite to take over the reins at North Melbourne. (Photo: Sarah Reed)

North Melbourne members have been left feeling concerned for their club following the departure of its senior coach, David Noble, on Tuesday morning.

While all the talk is already of who will be the next Kangaroos coach, North Melbourne fans are more worried about the direction their club is heading.

Speaking with some Kangaroos members shortly after the announcement, most were talking about the club’s declining winning strike rate and of club decisions.

They were open for discussion on who they would like/think should be their club’s next coach, but after letting some of their frustrations out in the air first.

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Mr Adrian Peskett of Geelong has been a North Melbourne member for 10 years and has been to six matches this year.

Speaking hours after the news broke, he admitted that he was frustrated with the club and he wasn’t afraid to name names.

“David Noble was set up as a scapegoat for deeper issues within the club,” he said.

“Ben Amarfio (CEO) and Dr. Sonia Hood (President) are much to blame for the decline of our club.

“Player retention, development and attraction have plagued North for well over five years. The culture and development of players needs to be a focus and it hasn’t been.

“My Dad (a North Melbourne tragic) said he hasn’t been this concerned about the club since the early ’70s when (Ron) Barassi took over the club.”

Who will be North Melbourne’s next coach?

Former North Melbourne players Alastair Clarkson and Adam Simpson are among the favourites to take over the running of the proud club, while Don Pyke, Adem Yze and Ross Lyon have also been talked about during the aftermath of Noble’s departure.

Clarkson is a three-time premiership-winning coach, while it is rumoured that another premiership coach in Simpson has already been contacted by the Kangaroos.

Mr Peskett said Leon Cameron is his tip to get the ‘Shinboner spirit’ back amongst the players.

“Leon Cameron is prime placed to be the next coach of the North Melbourne Football Club,” he said.

Despite Mr Peskett’s prediction, the former GWS Giants coach opened at huge double-figure odds and his since dropped out of the market altogether.

Leigh Adams, 34, who is another former North Melbourne player, was talked about late on Tuesday night after being named as interim coach, while Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham is also among the contenders.