- Jonathan Brown is the latest big name to be fired
- Shift some of the rebuilding to be competitive by 2024
- A hawthorn flag winner has also been released
Footy great Jonathan Brown is the latest high-profile member of staff to be shown the door by the Kangaroos, who have continued their brutal clean-up of Arden Street.
It follows another terrible season from North Melbourne, who won just three games and avoided the wooden spoon on percentages.
Hawthorn legend Josh Gibson was also told his services were not required for 2024, and on Monday assistant coach John Blakey and senior development coach Gavin Brown were also sacked.
It comes as Brett Ratten – who coached 10 senior games this year while Alastair Clarkson took an indefinite leave of absence due to private health issues – recently announced he would be ‘open to opportunities’ elsewhere.
According to veteran reporter Caroline Wilson, Clarkson knows there must be massive change – and fast – at the embattled AFL club.
Footy great Jonathan Brown is the latest high-profile staff member to be shown the door by the Kangaroos, who have continued their clean-up duties at Arden St (pictured, with wife Kylie)
Brown was a one-club player with the Brisbane Lions, winning three flags from 2001-2003
Former Hawthorn premiership player Josh Gibson has also been released by the Kangaroos
“I think they’ve gotten rid of part-timers too,” she said on Channel 9 Footy classified.
“I don’t think we’ll see Josh Gibson, who has been doing part-time defense work, or Johnathan Brown, who has been doing part-time forward work.”
Clarkson has also reportedly agreed to a ‘small’ pay cut as he targets a top eight finish.
Brown previously stated that he was not paid by the Kangaroos, it was more of an opportunity to work with legendary forwards coach Leigh Adams and a favor to Clarkson.
‘I do it out of love. Every now and then I just come along and give the young guys a little bit of confidence,” he said earlier this year.
‘Clarko, to be honest… he harassed me and in the end I just gave in. “I’m just giving some advice to the guys.”
Going into the upcoming AFL trade period, North Melbourne will be one of the biggest players among the 18 clubs.
It comes despite giving up the No. 1 draft pick with a win over fellow strugglers Gold Coast in the final round of the season.