AFL 2026: Western Bulldogs assistant Daniel Pratt declares interest in North Melbourne role

Western Bulldogs assistant Daniel Pratt has confirmed his interest in taking the reins at his former club North Melbourne.

Pratt played 116 games at Arden St across two stints before starting his coaching career at West Coast under fellow former Roo Adam Simpson.

He coached the AFLW team, the WAFL side and looked after the Eagles’ defensive line before returning to Victoria to take up his current role at the Bulldogs.

Pratt took part in both the Carlton and Essendon coaching processes earlier this year but was overlooked for Josh Fraser and Mark McVeigh respectively.

North Melbourne is searching for a new coach after sacking veteran mentor Alastair Clarkson.

The Kangaroos ultimately improved under Clarkson this season, but the board could not look beyond another season without finals.

Pratt, 43, says he still feels an attachment to North Melbourne and will pursue his interest in the vacancy.

“It’s of interest to me, I’m a North Melbourne person,” Pratt told SEN on Friday.

“When you’re a past player of any club you always have interest.

“So I am interested in that role and we’ll just see where that leads (over) the next few weeks.”

Simpson was one of the early names thrown around after Clarkson’s exit, but he confirmed he would knock back the process on Thursday morning, also via SEN.

Jaymie Graham (Fremantle) and Corey Enright (St Kilda) are also among the highly fancied assistants vying for a senior position.

North Melbourne recently announced the panel that will decide its next senior coach: Jennifer Watt (chief executive), Todd Viney (general manager), Andrew Swallow (former captain), Darren Crocker (AFLW coach), Nick Dowling (vice president) and Steele Sidebottom (recently retired Collingwood champion).