"They’ve been good leaders at their previous clubs" - North Melbourne eyeing experienced recruits amidst injury woes, former Sydney Swans star linked 

As they struggle to maintain their senior players’ park positions, North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson disclosed his intentions of recruiting senior players from other clubs in response to recent injury frustrations, especially co-captain Jy Simpkin’s.

Simpkin was listed for the clash against Essendon on Sunday but could barely make it through training, with his weak kick owing to a severe quad strain. Along with Jackson Archer, who had suffered an ankle injury, he was withdrawn after Friday’s training session. In their steads were placed potential debutant Eddie Ford and key defender Wil Dawson.

Coach Clarkson disclosed during a press conference:

“(Simpkin) has got a really low grade strain in a deep muscle in the quad, and that doesn’t stop him from being able to run and do most things, but to kick full length is the concern for him. He’s a resilient character and very, very proud … he’s disappointed that he can’t make the contribution that he can. He’s just going through that patch that a lot of footballers do.”

The North Melbourne coach did not shut down rumours of his interest in former Sydney captain Luke Parker. The coach further emphasised the importance of pursuing players who contributed significantly both on and off field. He said:

“I think so … we’ve seen that model before, particularly Brisbane – Fages (coach Chris Fagan) did that with (Luke Hodge) and Grant Birchall. It’s not just bringing them in there, because they’re good fellas or, historically, they’ve been good leaders at their previous clubs.”

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North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson expresses concern about upcoming mid-season draft

AFL Rd 3 - North Melbourne v Carlton

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson said he was “on the fence” about a mid-season trade period, as he noted the 'Roos would have desperately loved some support for key forward Nick Larkey in the wake of Callum Coleman-Jones’ season-ending achilles injury in round 3.

He said the AFL loosening up player movement, which he termed a “constrained, regulated system,” would be quite profitable to most clubs but acknowledged other clubs' concerns about a mid-season draft.

Coach Clarkson, recognising the controversial nature of his perspective, acknowledged that there are enough disadvantages to the move as there are positives. He said:

“Sometimes you can be biased towards your own personal circumstances, and you push for that to be the case … it might be our club in two years time saying, ‘No, this mid-season draft’s got whiskers on it.'”

Interstate clubs are reportedly concerned it would be too difficult to attract Victorian players due to the impact of relocating mid-year. Other club sources have said the draft would favour flag contenders at the expense of battlers.