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AFL leading journalist Caroline Wilson believes North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson “will return this year”, pointing towards an end-of-season comeback, but denotes the club is in a “weird” coaching position.
Clarkson, who took indefinite leave from his role at Arden Street in mid-May due to the Hawthorn racism investigation, returned to light duties with the Kangaroos in June after stepping out of the spotlight.
“It’s a weird situation … he certainly won’t coach this week” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
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“North are still unprepared to say what day it will be (when he returns). But he will return this year.
“It could be round 20, it could be round 21. It will definitely be by round 22.”
Wilson explained why North Melbourne is holding Clarkson back, fearing he may not be fully fit to step back into the floundering club as it continues to face intense scrutiny.
“There’s still real concern about his physical and mental wellbeing,” Wilson said.
“He will be back when everyone is absolutely certain he’s ready.”
As for interim coach Brett Ratten, Wilson expects he will step out of the way if Clarkson makes his anticipated return in 2023.
“The North view is he’s either coaching, or he’s not coaching,” she said.
”When Brett Ratten is coach, he won’t have Alastair in the coaches box.
“You can’t have both parents there at the same time.”
However, Wilson indicated that Clarkson is taking his return to the Kangaroos slowly, as the club battles with a growing injury list, including George Wardlaw (hamstring) and Cam Zurhaar (sydesmosis).
“Alastair has really barely been at the club, except as a cameo performance here and there,” Wilson said.
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“He’s started talking again to the senior coaches.
“Everyone says he’s a lot better.”
But Clarkson won’t be the saviour upon return, says Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd, who believes that it’s too little too late for the struggling Kangaroos.
“They’re in a sad state,” Lloyd said on Monday night.
“I think it gets worse. (Ben) Cunnington hasn’t played much all year, he’ll go, (Todd) Goldstein goes, Jack Ziebell goes, (Ben) McKay leaves. I wonder if any other players leave.”
North Melbourne face a ninth-placed Carlton on Sunday, hoping to win their third game of the season.
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