Overview
- North Melbourne has chosen Jaymie Graham to be its senior coach for 2027, with the club finalising the formal appointment and starting onboarding work.
- Nathan Buckley removed himself from the coaching contest before formally presenting and is expected to remain as an assistant at Geelong rather than return to senior coaching at Arden Street.
- Graham is a respected 43‑year‑old assistant who most recently worked at Fremantle and helped that club to a top‑of‑the‑ladder season, and he has previous interim AFL match experience.
- The club’s decision follows the earlier sacking of Alastair Clarkson after four seasons and reflects North Melbourne’s stated aim to appoint a coach suited to the ‘modern game’ to develop its talented young list.
- The appointment moves North into implementation of its rebuild, with the club also strengthening pathways and development roles; Graham’s hire could prompt staff changes at Fremantle and places pressure on North to convert high draft talent into wins.