‘Roos buying into Clarkson’s ‘unbelievable’ energy

NEWLY appointed North Melbourne co-captain Luke McDonald said he and his teammates have completely “bought-in” to Alastair Clarkson’s methods this pre-season.

Clarkson joined the Kangaroos on a five-year deal in August after taking the 2022 season off.

With four premierships to his name from his time at Hawthorn, Clarkson joins the Kangaroos with genuine credits in the bank and McDonald says the 54-year-old’s “energy” is reverberating at Arden Street.

“The energy that Clarko has brought in since he’s got here with his new acquisitions has just been unbelievable,” McDonald told SEN Breakfast.

“All of the boys and the whole club has really bought in. There is usually a bit of excitement pre-Christmas because no one has had a loss yet.

“But it’s just an exciting time and we’re so lucky to have Clarko as our coach.

“The people we’ve bought in, they’re all really good people and really strong footy people that have been involved in really successful environments, that’s what we want to build at North Melbourne.”

Along with the Clarkson appointment, McDonald said other alterations at North Melbourne have helped conjure a good feeling at the club with a change of the football department’s location front of mind.

“I mentioned briefly yesterday that moving the footy department right into the middle of the footy club has made it a real open environment,” McDonald said.

“Membership staff, admin staff, AFLW staff, everyone can walk through and see what’s happening in our meetings and it’s just the little things.

“We had our first ever, since I’ve been here, full club Christmas party so everyone can get to know each other, it’s not just about the AFL players, it’s about the whole staff, the AFLW players, the VFL players, it’s that one-club approach.

“Everyone’s on board, if we’re doing well off the field hopefully that emulates on the field.”

McDonald was announced as North Melbourne’s co-captain for the 2023 season alongside midfielder Jy Simpkin last week.

The Kangaroos open up their 2023 campaign with a round one clash against West Coast on 18 March.

– BY LACHLAN GELEIT/ SEN