Alastair Clarkson has been offered a five-year deal to join North Melbourne as their next senior coach, per reports from The Age's Jake Niall.
The Kangaroos have been searching for their next coach since the departure of David Noble earlier in the year, with Clarkson reportedly firming as the favourite early on in the process.
The four-time premiership winning coach is also being courted by the Giants, who farewelled their senior coach Leon Cameron this season too, with Mark McVeigh taking the reins in an interim capacity.
Despite both clubs showing significant interest in Clarkson, it is understood that North are the only to table a deal to the 54-year-old.
The five-year deal would contract Clarkson to the club until the end of 2027, with the rebuilding club hoping that with the former Hawks coach in the top job, they can fast-track their ascent back up the ladder.
The Age reported that while Clarkson is yet to formally respond to the offer, a decision could come as soon as next week, with journalist Tom Browne reporting on Triple M that the master coach could be at Arden Street within the week.
“Coaching update, this is just dot joining according to sources you speak to. There’s not a lot of leaks coming from North Melbourne or the Giants coaching process,” Browne said.
“It’s certainly the strong view of sources that I speak to that Alastair Clarkson will end up as soon as next Friday at North Melbourne.
“That remains to be seen but that’s the consistent view that I’m getting is that North Melbourne is very much in the box seat to land Alastair Clarkson for a whole host of reasons.
Clarkson's signature on the dotted line begins the end of the silly season of coaching appointments, with just the Giants job remaining up for grabs. Adem Yze, current Melbourne assistant coach is touted as a potential successor to Cameron, according to Browne.
“The Giants are now looking closely, very closely, at Adem Yze and I think they will also sound out Ross Lyon at some point in their process as well.
“Yze Giants, Clarkson North is the jungle drums in terms of the sources that I speak to at the moment.”
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide confirmed earlier in the week that Ken Hinkley, despite ongoing speculation around his future at the club, will coach the team in 2023.
