North Melbourne has lost three recruiters ahead of the mid-season draft next week.Credit:Getty Images
Club sources insisted that Birthisel's exit was not connected to that of Finnigan and Luff,both of whom had seen a dramatic turnover of senior football figures and instability during the past three years at the club,which has had three coaches - Brad Scott,Rhyce Shaw and David Noble - along with changes in football department heads.
Cameron Joyce was replaced by former Kangaroo player and West Coast list manager Brady Rawlings and then Rawlings’ role was effectively split with Daniel McPherson,who was appointed in December to the new role of head of football performance.
The departures before the mid-year draft - in which North will have two picks,potentially including the first pick - will see Rawlings and veteran recruiter Scott Clayton take on the whole recruiting and list management portfolio.
Club sources said the Roos already had done considerable planning for the mid-season draft and were well-prepared for their selections.
The departures come with last year’s wooden spoon recipient facing a bottom four finish for the third season in a row and a probable bottom two finish,placing enormous pressure on senior coach Noble in just his second season at the helm.
Under pressure:Roos coach David Noble.Credit:Getty Images