Alastair Clarkson has been sacked by North Melbourne, and the overwhelming reaction throughout the footy landscape is shock.
The Kangaroos confirmed on Wednesday that Clarkson had been dismissed after the playing group was called into the club for an emergency morning meeting.
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In the club’s official press release, it revealed the decision was made “following a consultation period with football department staff and players” at the end of the season.
At the forefront of the reaction was Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who’s preparing his side for an elimination final trip to play Adelaide.
Twelfth-year mentor Beveridge, who worked for three years with Clarkson at Hawthorn in its dynasty era, could hardly believe Wednesday’s news.
“Really?” a flummoxed Beveridge told reporters at his weekly press conference when told.
“Jeez … I could say so much, but I’d prefer to say very little, because what can you say?
“I think the difficult thing with what we’re all doing is it’s a different culture now in our code.
“We’ve almost become like the EPL (English Premier League), where senior coaches’ tenure and your own coaching mortality is speculated about a lot more than it used to be.
“As opposed to, say, the NFL, where you can have a winning season, and that’s considered a success.”
Beveridge said he was “concerned” for the next wave of senior coaches, given the increased external scrutiny.
“Do they actually really want to put them in the situation where, from the start of their tenure, their vocational sustainability is speculated upon?” he said.
“You know, it’s not a nice place to live. Clarko’s been an amazing coach and an amazing custodian of the game … obviously really outspoken, and someone who’s pushed his own opinions to make the game better.
“Obviously, I spent three years with him at the Hawks, had a really successful time and got enormous value and experience out of that. He’s a resilient and durable guy, and he’ll be fine.
