North Melbourne AFL coach Alastair Clarkson has stepped away from his role to focus on his physical and emotional wellbeing, with the toll of the investigation into historical alleged racism at Hawthorn behind the move.
Clarkson will hand over the reins to his assistant Brett Ratten immediately with no timeline yet indicated for his return to the job.
“The club is providing its full support to Alastair and we commend him for making this important decision to put his health first,” North Melbourne president, Sonja Hood, said in a statement on Thursday.
“Everyone involved has been deeply affected by the Hawthorn investigation and the burden on Alastair has been significant. We will give Alastair whatever time he needs to restore his health and look forward to welcoming him back when he is fully fit.
“We have strong leaders at our club who will step up and support and coach our team while Alastair spends time focusing on his health. We are fortunate to have someone of Brett Ratten’s experience and capability to coach the team in the interim.”
The general manager of football at North Melbourne, Todd Viney, said Clarkson’s decision took him by surprise and that the head coach had been “really weighed down in the mental space” in the last eight months by the Hawthorn investigation.
Viney said Clarkson, who could return later this year, had “bravely fought through this period” but he “felt that he just couldn’t do it any more”.
It comes a week after Clarkson lashed out at Hawthorn and the club’s handling of the long-running alleged racism saga. The former Hawks coach said the drawn-out process was “shameful” and that reputations had been “scarred” during the AFL-appointed panel’s investigation.
The four-time Hawks premiership coach, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt have been named as figures involved in an alleged episode of racism during their time with the club. All deny any wrongdoing.
The AFL gave its backing to Clarkson’s decision to prioritise his health and wellbeing. The chief executive, Gillon McLachlan, said he understood the toll the panel’s investigation had taken on all those involved and hoped a resolution could be found.
“It is a heavy burden being carried by all parties involved and the wellbeing of everyone who is a part of this process is the key priority for our game,” McLachlan said.
“The AFL supports current efforts to find a mediated outcome that provides fairness and natural justice for all involved and encourage all parties to work towards a timely and just outcome.”
Under Clarkson, the Kangaroos began this season strongly, winning their opening two games, but since then they have lost their last seven and fallen to 16th on the AFL ladder.
