AFL

Ever since Alastair Clarkson was removed as North Melbourne head coach, attention has turned to who will replace him.

We know Adam Simpson and John Longmire, who are veteran coaches, have already pulled out of the race to lead the club, so who will be the one who does take over?

Over the next couple of weeks, we will get a better indication, as we don’t know whether the Roos want a veteran coach or one of the young up-and-comers to take the role.

But there may be a little indication of which way the club is leaning.

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According to Tom Morris, who was on Seven News, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has emerged as a genuine contender.

“The former Collingwood coach has emerged as a serious candidate to take the North Melbourne vacant coaching job,” Morris said. “The Kangaroos footy boss Todd Viney caught up with Nathan Buckley for coffee.

“North offered Bucks a four-year deal back in 2009 before he took over the Collingwood gig. Close confidants of Buckley tell me he’s eager to explore the role, and he’s been doing work on the list and the club for some time.”

Buckley the right one for the role?

That remains to be seen, but Buckley has shown in his time with the Pies that he can take a team into finals regularly and even made a Grand Final, which he lost.

But it is clear the Roos see value in potentially having Buckley lead the club after Clarkson, and time will tell how far Buckley goes in this coaching process.

Going by Morris’ words, the former Pies coach is eager to explore the role, and as we know, that is half the battle.

Everyone has thoughts on who should follow Clarkson as North coach, and Buckley, at least on face value, doesn’t seem like a bad choice.

AFL

Buckley the right one for the role?

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