Clarkson envious of Collingwood's fixture 'gifts'

North's coach reflects on the club's decision to play two home games in WA

Alastair Clarkson looks on after North Melbourne's loss to Carlton in round six, 2025. Picture: Getty Images

NORTH Melbourne has played at seven different stadiums over the past nine matches, a hectic schedule that even Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury can't help but laugh about.

The Kangaroos finished their two-week stint in Western Australia with a six-point loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

A week earlier, North Melbourne beat West Coast by 10 points in Bunbury, a coastal town about two hours south of Perth.

The two matches in WA were technically North Melbourne home games, part of a three-year deal worth about $7.5m in which North Melbourne will 'host' two games a season in the state.

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The Kangaroos agreed to the deal given their current contract to play games in Tasmania is winding down. As one of the least financially stable clubs in Victoria, selling games is a necessary evil.

Over its past nine matches, North Melbourne has played at Marvel Stadium (three times), Barossa Park, Adelaide Oval, Ninja Stadium, the MCG, Hands Oval and Optus Stadium.

It's in stark contrast to Collingwood; 14 of the Magpies' 23 games this season are at the MCG, and they only have six interstate games - one of which was for Gather Round.

It's no wonder Pendlebury had a chuckle with North coach Alastair Clarkson when they crossed paths recently.

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"It's funny. I ran into Scotty Pendlebury, I was on the same plane when I came back from the Hall of Fame on Wednesday," Clarkson said.

"Anyway, he was laughing about the amount that we've had to travel, compared to the gifts that they get playing at the MCG on a regular basis.

"I'd like to be like the Pies and just play at the MCG most weeks.

"But the Collingwood side are able to generate their revenue from their crowds and their opportunities.

"They get to play at the MCG and North aren't in that position at this current time.

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"So we need to get on the road and play our games (in) Tassie, (or) in this case WA.

"We're happy to do so, because if we don't it puts the competition and our club in a perilous state if we can't balance the books."

A crowd of 31,408 attended the North-Fremantle game on Saturday night.

North next face Carlton at the MCG on Saturday in what marks just the second time this season the Kangaroos will play at the 'Home of Football'.

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