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Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson.Credit:AFL Photos

North Melbourne are still waiting on Clarkson’s answer,as he also weighs up strong interest fromGreater Western Sydney,who also have been in conversations with the ex-Hawthorn coach.

But sources said GWS still had not made Clarkson a formal offer,even though the Giants were keen to secure him,as they also engage with the other three candidates for their coaching position:Adem Yze (Melbourne assistant),Adam Kingsley (Richmond assistant) and their caretaker coach Mark McVeigh.

Sources said there was an expectation that Clarkson would give an answer to both clubs before the end of the home-and-away season.

The length of the Kangaroos’ offer is a measure of both the club’s willingness to commit heavily to Clarkson,but also of the fact that they are only midway through what has been a painful and challenging rebuild and that he would need time to bring them into finals and flag contention.

Their pursuit of Clarkson is also founded in the belief that if they landed him,he would provide a hitherto struggling team with far greater cachet and greatly enhance their prospects of attracting and retaining players and staff.

Former Melbourne assistant (and list manager) Todd Viney,who worked under Clarkson at Hawthorn,has been touted by Clarkson as one of his team should he join either of the clubs that are effectively competing for his services. He is certain to bring his own people should the Roos or GWS hire him.

GWS argues that it has greater challenges in attracting coaches and football staff,given the higher cost of living in Sydney.

Clarkson made a presentation to the Giants’ trio of chief executive David Matthews,chairman Tony Shepherd and football chief Jason McCartney last week,having had previous discussions with the club.

If GWS have the advantage of a stronger core of senior players,North Melbourne arguably offers Clarkson more opportunity to recruit seasoned players,as a club in Melbourne,and also given that the Roos have a massive amount of salary cap space,compared to the Giants,who areexpected to shed senior players again during the trade period.

Ken Hinkley has not yet been sounded out by either club,according to sources familiar with his situation. Port Adelaide president David Koch announced this week that Hinkley will coach the club in 2023.

Clarkson has had the opportunity to refresh in 2022,having been paid more than $900,000 by the Hawks,the parties having agreed that he would be better to move on rather than coach on once the handover to Sam Mitchell had been announced.

North Melbourne have been paying the full amount of the soft cap on football department spending this year,with the soft cap set to rise by $500,000 in 2023 and with further exemptions that can enable a club to spend more than $7 million next year – still a far cry from the pre-pandemic soft cap of $9.7 million.

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