Kangaroos great David King has heaped pressure on his old club’s coach Alastair Clarkson ahead of the 2026 season.
North Melbourne have finished in the bottom four every season since 2020, and haven’t played finals since 2016.
Clarkson has been at the helm since 2022, and has struggled to pull this young team off the canvas.
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One of the great coaches of the 21st century, Clarkson won four premierships with Hawthorn, before joining the Kangaroos.
When asked who needs to go to the next level for the Roos to improve in 2026, King pointed the finger squarely at the coach.
Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson. Getty
“The only person who needs a breakout year at North is the coach,” the dual North Melbourne premiership player said on SEN Breakfast.
“Everyone is talking about the players, and who needs to do this and who needs to do that – but at the end of the day it’s a huge year for Alastair Clarkson.
“Fourth year in – we all know about the first year and the difficulties there, but the bottom line is four pre-seasons – you need to see a return.
“There’s got to be decisions made ongoing with footy clubs. I think the North Melbourne fans are just waiting on the coach to impact this football club.
“There’s only one game next year that is on free-to-air TV and that’s Good Friday. From a marketing point of view you’d have to question where it sits in 2026.
“And from a football point of view there hasn’t been a lot to celebrate.”
Despite another bottom three finish, North Melbourne did not have a top draft pick this year, having traded it to Richmond for a pair of picks in the 20s in 2024.
They were also quiet in the trade period, making no moves of note.
Outside of Clarkson, they will be betting on internal improvement from their young playing group to escape the bottom of the ladder in 2026.