Sacked: Alastair Clarkson's North Melbourne era is over

• North have sacked Clarkson
• The club will hold a 2pm AEST press conference
• Listen live to reaction here

North Melbourne have sacked head coach Alastair Clarkson.

After four seasons at the helm at the Kangaroos, the board opted to part ways with the four-time premiership coach at the conclusion of the 2026 season, having won just nine games and missing finals once more.

Joining the Roos in 2023, Clarkson won just 20 of his 82 games in charge, dragging North Melbourne through their rebuild before guiding the club to their best record since 2019.

The coach joined the club after a two-year absence from head coaching, having handed over the reigns to Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn after a legendary spell across the 2010's.

In 2008, Clarkson won his first premiership as Hawthorn coach, before guiding his side to a three-peat from 2012 to 2014.

On Wednesday morning, players and staff at North Melbourne were called into an emergency meeting at Arden Street, within which club officials made it known that Clarkson had been sacked from his role of head coach.

Clarkson was under pressure over the course of the 2026 season, and the shock decision has been made to move him on a year from his contract expiration.

This marks the third sacking of 2026, following Michael Voss at Carlton, and Brad Scott at Essendon.

North Melbourne released the below statement on Wednesday morning:

NORTH CONFIRM SACKING

A club statement said: The North Melbourne Football Club has decided to part ways with senior coach Alastair Clarkson.

The club informed Clarkson of its position on Tuesday following a consultation period with football department staff and players at the conclusion of the AFL premiership season.

“We asked Alastair to give our club stability and strength and help return us to the top of the AFL ladder,” Club President Dr Sonja Hood AM said.

“Four years later, we have created an environment where our staff and players want to be at our club. This is a testament to the culture Alastair has helped create and the belief that he has built in this group.

“Although we have clearly made progress and won more games, we won't shy away from our desire to want more from this talented group.

“We are incredibly grateful to Alastair for the work he’s done over the last four years and we wish him all the very best for his next chapter.”*

The club will now undertake a process to appoint our next senior coach.

Club president Dr Sonja Hood AM and general manager of football Todd Viney will speak at a press conference at 2pm AEST.

PRESSER AT 2pm

Latest from Sam Edmmund

"I spoke to some players – they said they didn’t know why they were there but they had suspicions.

"Sonja Hood addressed the group and told them Clarkson had been sacked. This is a sacking not a resignation. He is gone four years into a five year deal.

"Not the improvement the club wanted and now they begin the search for a new coach.

"It is sacked. The board agreed he should not continue as coach, this is a club led decision. They have been transparent about not being rushed into contract extension. Clarko was one of five coaches going into the final year of their contract.

"Not any more, he will not see out the five years."

SACKED NOT RESIGN

Tom Morris confirms: "Todd Viney and Sonja Hood spoke to the players in this meeting.

"Confirmation Clarkson was sacked, rather than a resignation or parting of ways."

FIREBALL POD?

Yes, for everyone asking, Kane and Kingy are gearing up for an emergency podcast. Looking like 2pm AEST

11:51am LIVE FROM ARDEN ST

Tom Morris calling SEN just now from the club, here's what he had to say.

"Players were called to a meeting at 11:45 this morning. I'm not sure if Clarko is on this call and we’re waiting to hear if it’s sacked, resigned or parting ways.

"Am I surprised? Last week I would have said yes, but now, not so surprised. It is reality that he would have liked an extension but it was a conversation the club was not willing to open.

"North had not been all in on Clarko for a while now. I don’t know if Clarko himself had read the tea leaves or if he is blindsided.

"What the players are told will prove pretty telling."