Jaymie Graham is set to take the reins at North Melbourne in 2027, securing the senior coaching role after a competitive selection process. The 43-year-old appointment comes immediately after former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley formally withdrew his name from contention, clearing the path for Graham to finalize his presentation to the club board this Monday. Graham previously served as an assistant coach at Fremantle, where the team finished narrowly short of a premiership title this year.
This decision marks a significant turn for North Melbourne following the high-profile sacking of Alastair Clarkson, who was dismissed with one year remaining on his five-year contract. While the club managed only 20 victories across 81 games during Clarkson’s tenure, the 2026 campaign showed signs of progress with nine wins out of 23 games. Graham inherits a side viewed as having high potential, bolstered by deep talent and significant draft capital available at Arden Street.
Graham’s road to the top job included prior attempts at Carlton and Essendon, where he reached the final stages of selection but ultimately missed out to Josh Fraser and Mark McVeigh respectively. His coaching experience at the AFL level is not entirely new; he previously managed three games as a stand-in coach, including one stint at West Coast in 2018 and two matches at Fremantle in 2022. The appointment coincides with the official opening of the AFL trade period, signaling an immediate start to his duties in shaping the team's future roster. The club board was scheduled to ratify his appointment following a presentation on Monday.