‘Just felt right’: Clarko’s opens up on Roos move, reveals Bombers bid came ‘far too late’

Alastair Clarkson says his decision to coach North Melbourne “just felt right” after the club beat out Essendon for the four-time premiership boss’ signature.

The Kangaroos on Friday morning confirmed the super coach would join the club on a five-year deal, putting an end to week-long speculation around his much-anticipated decision.

Speaking to media on Friday afternoon, Clarkson said the approach from Essendon came “far too late” to seriously consider.

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“There was sentiment with Essendon, and I‘ve got enormous respect for GWS, but this just felt right. I feel comfortable here. It was a difficult position to be in, and I was aware it was becoming a circus. I don’t like being the centre of attention,” he told reporters.

“We were so far down the road with North and GWS, the Essendon process came far too late to give it serious consideration.

“It was really out of respect that I listened to what they had to say. Due diligence takes a lot longer than four days, for me.

“It really disappoints me what’s unfolded with ‘Truck’ (Ben Rutten) out at the Bombers, he’s a good man and good football person. I hope somehow that can be resurrected as a result of the decision today.”

Clarkson described it as an “exciting time to be involved at the club” as he looks to turn around its fortunes after recording just two wins in 2022.

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“As we‘ve seen with Carlton and Collingwood it doesn’t take much to turn it around,” he said on Friday.

“Get the right people in, the right vision and everyone marching to the same tune, and you can pick things up pretty quickly.

“We know we have a lot of work to do … I‘m really excited with that challenge, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work.

“We’ve got a group of guys who’ve been through a tough year. But I feel like there’s real optimism of where we can go over the next few years.

“I’m not of the view that it’s going to be a 10-year turnaround, I’m of the view that if you roll the sleeves up and get to work and put together a program with really good people who are aligned to a vision of where we want to go, then we can all get on this journey together.”

It comes after the mastermind spent a year out of the game after his departure from Hawthorn, who he coached in 390 games including four premierships from 2015-2021.

He explained how his time in the US to focus on professional development including develop helped fuel the fire in is belly to return to coaching.

Clarko was hot on North back in May | 02:17

Clarkson opened up on how he really “fell in love with the game” in 1977 during his first visit to Melbourne to watch North Melbourne’s draw with Collingwood in the grand final.

But it was 10 years later when the Roos helped support him during a tough period of his life where he lost his brother in a car accident as he now repays the favour.

“(Key Roos figures at the time) were so pivotal to me at that stage of my life because I was going through a really, really tough time,” he said.

“It could easily have gone one way or the other, and I was so fortune I had those people.

“Perhaps the shoe is on the other foot right now where this club needs some support and some help, and that was pivotal in us making the decision to help the club get back on track again.”

Earlier on Friday, president Sonja Hood described the coup as a “real watershed moment for our club” in a letter to members.

“I’m delighted to announce that last night Alastair Clarkson agreed to coach the North Melbourne Football Club for the next five seasons, Hood said.

“Our former number 23, Shinboner #781, and four-time premiership coach will lead our talented, young group from 2023 until at least 2027.

“This is a real watershed moment for our club. I am writing to share it with members and supporters first … this is a moment for all of us.

“Today is a good day. Alastair’s coming home. To our home.”

Hood praised Clarkson and his manager James Henderson for how the handled the delicate negotiations.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the professionalism of Alastair and his manager James Henderson over this past four weeks. We’ve had a crash course in getting to know each other and Alastair’s passion to drive our club back to where we belong is incredibly infectious,” she wrote.

Clarkson will officially take over the reins from November 1.