Latest news with #AlastairClarkson
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blow for Collingwood premiership player as rival club makes call on veteran
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has all but ruled out a move to sign Collingwood premiership star Jeremy Howe, after suggesting his side can't keep chasing AFL veterans. Howe's contract with the Pies expires at the end of the season but he's yet to be offered a new deal and has been touted as an ideal signing for Clarkson's Kangaroos. The 35-year-old is currently sidelined with a groin injury, but remains one of Collingwood's key defenders and has been playing some of his best footy this season for the ladder-leaders. Howe is viewed as the type of player that could lead North Melbourne's defence and help develop some of their young stars, and Seven AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said this week that a switch to the Kangaroos would make a lot of sense. 'I think, if I was North Melbourne, they've missed on Nathan Broad, they've missed on Brayden Maynard, I think he would be the perfect guy to go and nurture some of these young defenders," he said on Seven's The Agenda Setters this week. 'We've seen Will Dawson you've been big on in the last couple of months, Charlie Comben's still finding his feet - (he'd be perfect) to go and partner up as that third tall in defence for a year or two at North Melbourne. He is still, to this point, yet to receive an offer from Collingwood.' But while Howe would be a handy pick up for a side like North Melbourne, Clarkson has hosed down the possibility of signing the 35-year-old, who may opt to retire at season's end if a new deal at Collingwood is not forthcoming. The Kangaroos coach is worried his side would become 'too old' with the addition of Howe after they already recruited former Swans captain Luke Parker, premiership Eagles forward Jack Darling and ex-Bulldogs defender Caleb Daniel at the end of last season. Alastair Clarkson all but rules out Jeremy Howe signing "We'll look at any player that we think will help our list, but I think he'd be pretty content at Collingwood," Clarkson said on Thursday. "They're chasing the flag. I don't think we'll be in that space (of chasing Howe), but who knows. "We had that strategy at the end of last year when we brought in Luke Parker and Jack Darling and Caleb Daniel, and they've given us some really good assistance and sturdiness. But we can't just keep going down that line either, because otherwise we will become too old." Daniel, 29, is averaging 26 disposals per game, 32-year-old Parker is averaging 22.8 disposals and 4.8 clearances, while 33-year-old Darling has kicked 16.5 in attack. It shows that North's strategy to recruit experienced players has paid off in some respects and led to talk that a move to North Melbourne for Howe could be a good way for him to finish a decorated 268-game career. Clarkson's 16th-placed Kangaroos (4-12-1) face a tough test against an in-form Sydney (8-9) at the SCG on Saturday. And they will be without defender Luke McDonald for the rest of the season after he underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday. "When we went and saw the specialist after that (Hawthorn) game, they said, 'let's just leave it for a couple of weeks and see whether he can regain some strength in it', knowing full well it was probably going to require surgery at the end of the year," Clarkson said. "But it just hasn't improved enough in terms of the strength or function to get him to the line." RELATED: Jake Stringer facing potential AFL sanction after starring for GWS Collingwood urged to enquire about 'disgruntled' Hawthorn player Harley Reid's eight-word taunt for Jason Horne-Francis revealed Forward Nick Larkey will miss another week due to a minor PCL injury, while ruckman Tristan Xerri will start his three-match suspension for the hit that knocked out Melbourne's Tom Sparrow. The Roos will be boosted by the return of George Wardlaw and Luke Davies-Uniacke for the clash against the Swans though, after the pair came though the AFL's concussion protocols. We have goater and Whitlock coming through. I think we are fine — Harvey (@HarveySuth) July 15, 2025 Then when he plays bad... " why did North bring in a old guy blocking young players" blah blah you can't win — Faruk Erol (@FarukErol92) July 15, 2025 This would have made more sense than Caleb Daniel — Anthony Jury (@Juryduty81) July 15, 2025 🤣 Howe, a Pies supporter as a kid, will play on, or retire. — M J Kara (@mjkara35) July 15, 2025 Howe will retire, unless Collingwood talk him around. — RedPillzRBitter. (@RedPillzRBitter) July 15, 2025 with AAP
Herald Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
AFL 2025: Roos hit by triple blow as McDonald, Larkey, Xerri ruled out
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. A combination of injury and suspension has left North Melbourne with holes in each third of the ground. The Kangaroos will face an in-form Sydney without Luke McDonald, Tristan Xerri and Nick Larkey on Saturday. McDonald has been ruled out for the remainder of the year after being rushed into shoulder surgery this week. He sustained the injury in the Roos' poor loss to Hawthorn and failed to recover well enough to return this year. 'When we went and saw the specialist they said, 'Let's leave it for a couple of weeks and see if he can regain some strength in it', knowing full well he was probably going to require surgery at the end of the year,' North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said. 'But it just hasn't improved enough in terms of the strength or function to get him to the line, so he's gone in for surgery today (Thursday). 'He'll be out for the rest of the season. He's still contracted, so he'll repair the shoulder and get going again.' The Kangaroos are taking a cautious approach with spearhead Larkey after scans revealed a 'slight' PCL tear. 'He got that knock against Western Bulldogs, we thought it was ever so slight, but when we got it scanned, it revealed the slightest of damage,' Clarkson said. 'We're just waiting for that to repair, really, not wanting to take too much of a risk with him. 'As we saw today, he couldn't do the required training we needed him to do to make him available this week, so maybe a week-by-week thing.' Xerri, meanwhile, leaves the biggest hole against Sydney and Brodie Grundy after his suspension was upheld. The All-Australian fancy was issued a three-week ban for his high contact on Melbourne midfielder Tom Sparrow. 'It's a pretty significant challenge, especially this week because (Brodie) Grundy has been in such terrific form for the Swans,' Clarkson said. '(Grundy) has been a key part in their turnaround in form in the last six to eight weeks in particular. 'It's not ideal we lose 'Big X', but it presents an opportunity for someone else to step up in that role. We'll decide that this afternoon.' In positive news, North is set to regain gun midfielders George Wardlaw and Luke Davies-Uniacke from their respective concussions. Originally published as AFL 2025: North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson makes three unforced changes for Sydney
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson makes three unforced changes for Sydney
A combination of injury and suspension has left North Melbourne with holes in each third of the ground. The Kangaroos will face an in-form Sydney without Luke McDonald, Tristan Xerri and Nick Larkey on Saturday. McDonald has been ruled out for the remainder of the year after being rushed into shoulder surgery this week. He sustained the injury in the Roos' poor loss to Hawthorn and failed to recover well enough to return this year. 'When we went and saw the specialist they said, 'Let's leave it for a couple of weeks and see if he can regain some strength in it', knowing full well he was probably going to require surgery at the end of the year,' North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said. 'But it just hasn't improved enough in terms of the strength or function to get him to the line, so he's gone in for surgery today (Thursday). 'He'll be out for the rest of the season. He's still contracted, so he'll repair the shoulder and get going again.' The Kangaroos are taking a cautious approach with spearhead Larkey after scans revealed a 'slight' PCL tear. 'He got that knock against Western Bulldogs, we thought it was ever so slight, but when we got it scanned, it revealed the slightest of damage,' Clarkson said. 'We're just waiting for that to repair, really, not wanting to take too much of a risk with him. 'As we saw today, he couldn't do the required training we needed him to do to make him available this week, so maybe a week-by-week thing.' Xerri, meanwhile, leaves the biggest hole against Sydney and Brodie Grundy after his suspension was upheld. The All-Australian fancy was issued a three-week ban for his high contact on Melbourne midfielder Tom Sparrow. 'It's a pretty significant challenge, especially this week because (Brodie) Grundy has been in such terrific form for the Swans,' Clarkson said. '(Grundy) has been a key part in their turnaround in form in the last six to eight weeks in particular. 'It's not ideal we lose 'Big X', but it presents an opportunity for someone else to step up in that role. We'll decide that this afternoon.'
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Why Indigenous AFL star Cyril Rioli - who became a recluse from the game over racism scandal - is making a stunning return to the field
Former Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli is preparing to make a stunning return to football by lacing up his footy boots for the upcoming rebooted Legends Game. The iconic exhibition match is returning for the first time in six years and will be played on August 28 at Marvel Stadium. It's been 10 years since the Indigenous star claimed the 2015 Norm Smith Medal after an electrifying performance in Hawthorn's premiership triumph over West Coast. The 36-year-old fan favourite retired in 2018 and has distanced himself from the game, including not showing up to Hawthorn's celebration of their premiership three-peat earlier this year. Rioli's relationship with the Hawks soured over racism allegations during his years with the club - in a case that was settled in Federal Court last November. The former half forward was the lead applicant in a statement of claim alongside his wife Shannyn, former players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, his partner Montanah-Rae Lewis and Hawthorn's former Indigenous liaison officer Leon Egan. It was a saga which lasted more than two years after it first surfaced publicly in September of 2022. Racism allegations were aimed against the Hawks, former coach Alastair Clarkson, his former assistant Chris Fagan and ex-welfare manager Jason Burt. The trio were later cleared by the AFL of any alleged wrongdoing following an investigation. The statement of claim included allegations of unlawful discrimination, including family separations and pressuring a pregnancy termination. Rioli claimed that he was regularly subjected to comments that were 'culturally ignorant' during his time at the Hawks from 2008 to 2018. It was reported the players and their families involved in the court proceedings were paid an undisclosed sum following the settlement agreement. Rioli, who lives in Darwin, was recently announced as an assistant coach of Top End footy club the Jabiru Bombers - a team he played for last season and won a premiership with. The footy star's return for Legends Game marks a huge step in repairing his relationship with the game, and will see him play alongside other greats including Nick Riewoldt, Luke Hodge and Gary Ablett Jr. 'We are thrilled to see this iconic event return and for footy fans to be able to watch all the action live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport,' said Seven's head of AFL and sport innovation Gary O'Keefe. 'To see a host of popular personalities, and AFL legends including our own Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt come out of retirement for such a great cause is important and will make for exciting viewing.'
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The Deal Makers: Code Sports' AFL destination club rankings reveal harsh reality for cellar dwellers
Where would an AFL young gun least like to be? The footy world can finally answer this question, with Code Sports releasing its rankings of the league's destination clubs for 2025. And North Melbourne fans, it's time to look away. The Kangaroos, who have a list a mile long of big name trade and free agent targets they have missed out on – including Dustin Martin, Jordan De Goey, Josh Kelly, Isaac Heeney and plenty more – find themselves in last place. 'North Melbourne has had millions of space in salary cap room and has tried to spend it wisely but would acknowledge many of the big deals haven't worked,' Code Sports' Jon Ralph said. 'As coach Alastair Clarkson has said, it is near-on-impossible to get quality free agents through the door.' The Roos haven't finished a season outside the bottom four since 2019. They are currently 16th on the ladder and will need to win at least two more games to break that streak this year. But what exactly makes a destination club? Ralph has broken it down into five key questions: Is the club in the premiership window? Does it have the game-style and coaching to compete with the top dogs? Is the location a desirable place for players to want to live? Does the club have a good culture? What is their wildcard? As part of Code Sports' Deal Makers Series, Ralph has ranked all clubs 1-18 on this scale. And the news wasn't much better for bottom of the ladder West Coast, who have suffered a dramatic drop since winning the 2018 premiership. The Eagles look set to lose their captain this off-season with free agent leader Oscar Allen eyeing a potential move to Brisbane. It means West Coast is relegated to 17th on Ralph's rankings.
