Alastair Clarkson has penned a candid letter to North Melbourne members ahead of his return to his role as senior coach.
Clarkson relinquished the helm following the Roos’ round nine loss to Port Adelaide, citing a turn in his mental health.
The 55-year-old will make his return to coaching in North Melbourne’s home game against Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
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In his letter, Clarkson opened up on his reasons for taking leave from the club and thanked North Melbourne staff and supporters for their “unwavering support”.
“In all my time coaching, two critical priorities always preceded the investment in football: your health and your family,” he wrote in part on Tuesday.
“Ten weeks ago I came to the realisation I needed to be genuine to myself, my family and my football club and acknowledge those priorities were not being met. As a result, I needed to remove myself from the football treadmill.
“Now that I’m back, my gratitude is extended to those key stakeholders of the North Melbourne Football Club who became privy to my circumstances, and who demonstrated such empathy, compassion, support and patience.”
Detailing his need to focus on his mental health the last three months, Clarkson declared he was in good health and eager to come back into the fold.
“The time away from the club has been difficult but imperative. Stepping aside was challenging, isolating, confronting and even a little embarrassing. I’ve now come to realise that nothing is embarrassing when it comes to addressing your physical and mental wellbeing,” he wrote.
“(Clarkson’s wife) Caryn and I were getting warning signals regarding my physical and mental wellbeing on numerous occasions, and May 17 was the day of realisation that I could only invest in my family, my club and my community if I got myself back to full health.
“With the help of Dr David Cahill, Dr Peter Parker and Professor Steve Davis, we have put in place strategies that have been pivotal to my progress, and these are ongoing needs I endeavour to address moving forward.
“Ironically, returning to coaching our club is a very important part of that process.”
Clarkson has completed a month-long transition process to ease him back into full-time work. This has included shadowing stand-in coach Brett Ratten.
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