Arabic version: تعيين جايمي غراهام مدرباً أول لنورث ملبورن

According to ABC News, North Melbourne has appointed Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham as its new AFL senior coach, replacing Alastair Clarkson. Club president Sonja Hood confirmed the appointment on Tuesday after Clarkson, a four-time premiership coach, was sacked earlier this year.

Graham joins the Kangaroos after five seasons at Fremantle as an assistant to Justin Longmuir. North Melbourne finished Clarkson’s fourth season in charge in 14th position with nine wins in 2026.

At his first press conference, Graham said he was nervous and proud to lead the club after missing out on other coaching opportunities. “This opportunity came up, things happen for a reason. I feel I belong here already,” he said. Graham said there was talent on the playing list but also work to do, adding that he was a “systems-based and relationships-based coach”.

Hood said Graham had the resilience and grit valued by North Melbourne, describing him as a process-driven leader with a clear football vision. She said he played a key role in West Coast’s 2018 premiership success and had recently been line coach for one of the competition’s best forward lines at Fremantle.

The appointment signals a new direction for the Kangaroos, with Graham an untested AFL senior coach who has served as a caretaker or interim coach for three games across West Coast and Fremantle. He also previously led East Perth in the WAFL. Fremantle thanked Graham for five outstanding seasons, with football executive general manager Joe Brierty saying the club was proud to see him take the senior coaching opportunity.