Five coaches in the mix to replace Clarko, other than Longmire and Simpson
Updated . First published at
North Melbourne premiership-winners John Longmire and Adam Simpson both sidestepped questions about the vacant Kangaroos head coaching job on Wednesday night, as the footy world speculates on who might take charge at Arden Street.
The Kangaroos on Wednesday announced the bombshell decision to sack four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson with a year to run on his contract.
North Melbourne is on the hunt for a new head coach after sacking Alastair Clarkson. AFL Photos
In the press conference that followed, North Melbourne president Sonja Hood said the club had no “presupposed idea” of Clarkson’s replacement.
But the Roos boss also said the club needed someone who could “coach for the modern game”, while making it clear playing finals football in 2027 would be expected.
As soon as Clarkson was booted by North Melbourne, it was inevitable that both Longmire and Simpson would be bandied around as potential candidates for the top job at the Roos.
Simpson won premierships at North Melbourne as a player in 1996 and 1999, then guided West Coast to grand final glory as head coach in 2018.
Longmire also won a flag with North Melbourne as a player in 1999, then steered Sydney to a premiership as head coach in 2012. The man known as Horse took the Swans to five grand finals, winning one.
Longmire and Simpson, who don’t hold coaching positions currently, were quizzed on their potential interest in the Roos job on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Wednesday night.
“My first reaction is this has just happened today. Let’s let the dust settle,” Longmire said.
Simpson, meanwhile, admitted the Clarkson news was “all a bit of a shock”.
“Both Horse [Longmire] and I have a relationship with Alastair and I can’t take my headspace out of him and what he’s going through,” Simpson said.
“I haven’t given it a lot of thought ... It’s a bit early to talk about what we perceive as an opportunity versus a mate who has lost his job.”
North Melbourne will always be near and dear to both Longmire and Simpson.
“There’s always that sentiment,” Simpson said.
“I played 300 games at North Melbourne and there’s always the love of the club and the people there. Probably more than the footy club, it’s the people that you work with. That’s definitely real.”
John Longmire during his time in charge at the Swans. Getty Images
Longmire grew up supporting the Roos, joined the club as a 16-year-old, and played 200 games in blue and white, winning a premiership and a Coleman Medal.
“It’s very hard to lose that sentiment,” the 55-year-old said.
“You’ve got a strong connection to the football club and always have.
"I was all chips in at Sydney, but you can't help but look at North Melbourne and say it's had such a big role in both of our lives."
Here are five other men who could be in the running for the vacant North Melbourne gig.
Jaymie Graham
A highly rated assistant under Justin Longmuir at Fremantle, overseeing the forward line. Went for the Carlton and Essendon head coaching jobs but was beaten by Josh Fraser and Mark McVeigh, respectively. Before his time at Fremantle, Graham was an assistant at West Coast. Prior to that, he was head coach of East Perth in the WAFL in 2016. And before that, he was a development coach at St Kilda.
Corey Enright
An out-of-contract assistant under Ross Lyon at St Kilda, where he is head of strategy and game plan. Lost to Fraser in pursuit of the Carlton job. Before joining St Kilda in the 2022 pre-season, Enright spent five years in development and assistant roles at Geelong. He played 332 games at the Cats, winning three premierships and earning six All-Australian blazers.
Corey Enright is an out-of-contract assistant under Ross Lyon at St Kilda. Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Daniel Giansiracusa
Joined Hawthorn as its head of development ahead of the 2026 season. Was previously an assistant at Essendon for five seasons. Before that, he spent six years at the Western Bulldogs – the club at which he played 265 games. He was the Dogs’ forwards coach when they won the 2016 premiership. In 2020, he won the AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Brendon Lade
Working under Luke Beveridge at the Western Bulldogs as midfield coach. Previously spent time as an assistant at St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Richmond. Was in the mix for the Melbourne head coaching job, which ultimately went to Steven King. Has long been seen as a future AFL head coach. Played 234 games with Port Adelaide, winning a premiership and making two All-Australian teams.
Nathan Buckley
One of the highest-profile names on the coaching market. The Collingwood icon went back to coaching school when he joined Geelong as an assistant in the 2026 pre-season, working under two-time premiership coach Chris Scott. Was gunning for the inaugural Tassie Devils head coaching gig that ultimately went to Ken Hinkley. Spent almost 10 full seasons as head coach of Collingwood, stepping down midway through the Magpies’ 2021 campaign. Took the Pies to the 2018 grand final. Played 260 games with Collingwood, winning a Brownlow Medal and making seven All-Australian teams.
Other potential candidates: Murray Davis (currently at Adelaide), James Kelly (Geelong), James Rahilly (Geelong), Hayden Skipworth (Collingwood), Cameron Bruce (Brisbane)
