North Melbourne greats Adam Simpson and John Longmire have refused to rule themselves out of the vacant coaching role after great mate Alastair Clarkson was sacked on Wednesday.
The Kangaroos announced Clarkson’s departure in a bombshell move, admitting the four-time AFL premiership mentor “didn’t see it coming”, after players voiced concerns about his coaching.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Alastair Clarkson sacked by North Melbourne
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Clarkson, who coached Hawthorn to four premierships in an era-defining stint from 2005 until 2021, arrived at North as head coach amid great fanfare after being appointed in August 2022.
But he was unceremoniously axed, with a year to run on his contract, by football boss Todd Viney, a close friend, and club president Sonja Hood.
Hood said they haven’t targeted anyone in particular for their next coach, but club greats Longmire and Simpson were immediately linked to the role.
Highly rated assistants Jaymie Graham and Corey Enright could also throw their hat in the ring after exploring the Essendon and Carlton jobs.
Speaking to AFL360 on Wednesday night, Longmire and Simpson both expressed their love for the club, but said it was too early to comment on the coaching position.
Longmire, who led Sydney to a premiership in 2012, said: “My first instant reaction would be … it’s just happened today, so let’s let the dust settle.”
Simpson was a bit more expansive, but said he hadn’t given it any thought.
“To be honest it’s all a bit of a shock. I think Horse (Longmire) and I both have a relationship with Alastair and I can’t take my headspace out of him and what he’s going through,” he said.
“The club will work through what they need to work through. And to be brutally honest, I haven’t given it a lot of thought. It’s a bit early.
“Since we’ve been doing this we’ve had (Michael) Vossy, Ken (Hinkley), Brad (Scott) and Simon Goodwin (all depart), and we’ve been asked the same question every time.
“This is a little bit different because it’s North, but it’s a bit early to talk about what we perceive as an opportunity versus a mate who’s lost his job.”
Simpson conceded he did think about the Carlton job this year, but wasn’t interested in Essendon.
“I haven’t thought too deep about it but I don’t want to give any reaction because I just don’t know,” he said.
“I’ve really set up life in a different way. I’m enjoying it. I need to take a deep breath.”
Both club greats said there is definitely a sentimental attachment to the club.
“I played 300 games at North Melbourne so there is always the love of the club and the people there so that’s definitely real, but I was loyal to West Coast at the time. It’s a little bit different this time,” Simpson said.
Longmire, who was drafted to the club as a 16-year-old, added: “I grew up there. I was a North Melbourne supporter as a kid so it’s very hard to lose that sentiment. I’ve got a strong connection to the football club and I always have. I was really fortunate to be part of two great football clubs.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Hood insisted the club is yet to headhunt anyone and said she didn’t have a shortlist and all candidates would need to go through North Melbourne’s process.
Asked what type of coach they wanted, Hood said they wanted a coach who knows the “modern game”.
“Just to be really clear, we don’t have a pre-supposed idea for our next coach,” Hood said on Wednesday.
“So last time we chased the best person for the job. This time round our club’s in a very different position, our list is in a very different position, and we will let the market put up the best coach for this club.
“So we’ll make an announcement sometime next week on the process that that’ll take. But we will be looking for the best person to coach the North Melbourne football cllub.
“This club needs a coach who can coach for the modern game.
“It’ll be a coach who knows what they’re doing, and it’ll be the coach who’s the best fit for this club.”
— with AAP
