Alastair Clarkson Defends North Melbourne Amid Paul Roos' Criticism
Last updated on July 4, 2024 at 19:24 pm
Posted on July 4, 2024 at 20:24 pm
Alastair Clarkson firmly believes North Melbourne is showing promising signs despite their struggles this season. He recently responded to sharp criticism from former club consultant and premiership coach Paul Roos.
Roos' Critique
Paul Roos, who coached Sydney to the 2005 premiership and spent three years consulting for North Melbourne, recently took a swipe at the current team. During a radio interview, Roos remarked that the player depth in the 1980s was much stronger and even claimed:
“Carlton’s seconds team in the early ‘80s would beat North Melbourne right now, there’s no question about that.”
North Melbourne's Recent Performance
Despite only one win in 2024 and 13 wins in their last 85 games since 2020, Clarkson sees reasons for optimism:
Breakthrough Win: North Melbourne secured a crucial win against West Coast in round 14.
Close Matches: The Kangaroos narrowly lost their last three games by a combined 21 points to reigning premiers Collingwood, Melbourne, and the Western Bulldogs.
Clarkson's Response
Clarkson addressed Roos' comments and defended his team’s progress:
“The last four weeks have shown our supporters and the wider football public that there’s some excitement here. It goes in cycles, and every team’s had their turn. For us now it’s just navigating the path back up the ladder.”
Context of Roos' Tenure
Clarkson also pointed out the irony in Roos' criticism by highlighting Roos' own coaching journey:
Melbourne's Struggles: Roos coach Melbourne during a tough rebuilding phase, winning just four games in his first season (2014), seven in 2015, and ten in 2016 before handing over to Simon Goodwin, who led the team to the 2021 premiership.
Clarkson remains confident in North Melbourne's direction and progress. He acknowledges the challenges but believes the team is on the right path, showing glimpses of potential and excitement for the future. As the Kangaroos continue their rebuilding phase, Clarkson's focus is on steady improvement and resilience.
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