Less than two months ago, North Melbourne seemed destined for future success after signing four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson in one of the major AFL stories of 2022.
Club president Sonja Hood was praised heavily for her role in luring Clarkson to Arden Street, maintaining a strong position that there would be no "plan B" in their pursuit of a new senior coach.
The deal proved to be the most impactful signing of season 2022, establishing North Melbourne as a strong potential destination club for numerous players.
The face of a woman who doesn’t need a plan B. 💙🤍💃🏻 https://t.co/Qo9Q1vRB5V
— Sonja Hood (@Sonja_Hood) August 19, 2022
Following the signing, CEO Ben Amarfio resigned from the club after three years at Arden Street. A relatively uncontroversial exit at the time, but his resignation has left the club in a deeper hole than planned.
The club is now without a senior coach once again, as Clarkson has been forced to step down for the foreseeable future as he answers allegations of racism at his former club, Hawthorn.
Adding insult to injury, speculations about the potential departure of number 1 pick Jason Horne-Francis have rung true, as the future star is now seeking a move to Port Adelaide.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has since criticised Hood for her silence during the Clarkson crisis, stating the Roos president has gone into "hiding".
“You've got statements from Brady Rawlings and Sonja Hood is in hiding", Cornes said on SEN.
“If you're going to be there for the good times, you've got to be there for the bad times as well would be my thoughts on it."
The club now finds itself with no coach, no CEO and "one of the worst lists in AFL history", according to Cornes.
The club will consider Horne-Francis' trade request but Cornes feels "there's no quick fix" for North Melbourne's problems.
