- Alastair Clarkson hits back at Paul Roos
- Roos claimed North would lose to a reserve team from the 1980s.
- Clarkson says his club has become an ‘easy target’
Alastair Clarkson is adamant that North Melbourne’s recent performances have shown there is “some excitement” at the struggling club, as he rejected a scathing jibe from former club consultant and Premier League coach Paul Roos.
Having recorded just one win in 2024, and just 13 wins in 85 games since the start of the 2020 season, the Kangaroos have become an “easy target” for critics according to Clarkson, who was shocked when told of Roos’ claim.
In a radio interview on Thursday, the former Sydney and Melbourne coach, who spent three years in a consultancy role at North Melbourne before Clarkson took over, was adamant that the depth of players in the 1980s when he played was much stronger in a 12-team non-national competition.
Roos, who led Sydney to the championship in 2005, went so far as to say that “Carlton’s second team in the early 80s would beat North Melbourne right now, there’s no doubt about that.”
After recording their big win against West Coast in Round 14, the Kangaroos have lost their last three games by a combined 21 points to reigning champions Collingwood, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
Clarkson said this was clear evidence that his project and the rebuilding of the club were on track.
“The last four weeks have shown our supporters and the wider football public that there is some enthusiasm here,” Clarkson said.
Alastair Clarkson (left) hit back at fellow legendary coach Paul Roos (right)
Roos claimed North Melbourne would be beaten by a reserves team from the 1980s.
“This happens in cycles and each team has had its turn. For us now it’s just a matter of getting back to the top.”
‘You don’t have to go back too far to where Carlton and the Melbourne Football Club were based… ironically, ‘Roosy’ was at the Melbourne Football Club when that happened.’
Melbourne won just four games in Roos’ first season as coach in 2014, then seven in 2015 and finally 10 in 2016 before handing the reins to Simon Goodwin, who guided the Demons to the 2021 championship.
