Kangaroos assistant Xavier Clarke emerges as new contender in race to replace sacked coach Alastair Clarkson

A new contender has emerged in the race to replace Alastair Clarkson as North Melbourne coach.

The four-time Hawthorn premiership winner’s sensational exit last month sparked immediate speculation grand final heroes John Longmire or Adam Simpson could return to Arden St in a bid to rebuild their former club.

But Clarkson’s lieutenant Xavier Clarke is set to take on the Kangaroos greats for the job, according to Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson.

Clarke, a former St Kilda and Brisbane player, coached a NEAFL premiership before returning to the AFL ranks with Richmond and contributing to their 2017, 2019 and 2020 flag successes.

The 42-year-old, who coached the Indigenous All Stars team last year, swapped the Tigers for North at the end of 2023 and led the Roos’ forward line this year.

“We haven’t had an Indigenous AFL senior coach in the modern era,” Wilson told 7NEWS.

“But Xavier Clarke has turned heads at the North Melbourne Football Club since he joined them.

“He recently signed a two-year contract extension and, while not the official acting senior coach since the sacking of Alastair Clarkson, he has been presenting to the board with the executive.

Wilson said Clarke had a “difficult relationship with Clarkson towards the end” of the season.

Clarke, having put pen to paper with North, is expected to remain at the club even if he is overlooked for the senior coaching role, Wilson said.

Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham went for the Essendon role and is now considering his options with North.

“And of course Adam Simpson and John Longmire seem keen on the job, too

Clarke’s fellow Kangaroos assistant coach Michael Barlow has been seen as a future AFL coach after leading Werribee to the VFL grand final in 2023 but it is not clear if he will join the process.

North Melbourne CEO Jennifer Watt is leading the coaching selection panel featuring football boss Todd Viney, board member and former captain Andrew Swallow, current AFLW coach Darren Crocker, vice-president Nick Dowling and recently retired Collingwood great Steele Sidebottom.