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Live sport on SN this weekendClarke keen on senior coaching gig after Indigenous All-Stars experience
Sam Watson • February 11th, 2025 12:27 pm
2025 Indigenous All-Stars coach and North Melbourne assistant Xavier Clarke has said a senior coaching role is in his sights for the future.
The former Saint was named head coach of the Indigenous All-Stars in early December after nearly 10 years of coaching experience with the NT Thunder, Richmond and North Melbourne.
“I wouldn’t be sitting here lying and say I wouldn’t want to try and be a senior coach one day,” Clarke told SEN’s Sportsday.
“That’s something I’m certainly aspiring to.”
And he said the opportunity to take charge of the Indigenous All-Stars for their match against Fremantle on Saturday was “a really great opportunity” for him to get a taste of the pressures of senior coaching.
“I’m doing things that I never would’ve been able to do (as an assistant coach),” he said.
“It’s only going to be great for my experience and my pathway.
“I’m in no rush, but obviously it’s something I’ll (use to) continue to build my craft.”
Although he’s relishing the responsibility of coaching the Indigenous All-Stars for their first game in nearly a decade, the importance of the upcoming season at the Kangaroos and his role as forward line coach wasn’t lost on him.
“The priority at the moment is to get North (Melbourne) going and get them up and about for this year,” he said.
“Get the All-Stars game, hopefully get a win there, and then get North up and about for 2025.”
Joining Clarke in the coach’s box for Saturday's match is West Coast assistant and Hawthorn premiership player Chance Bateman, Former Fremantle star Roger Hayden, Port Adelaide development coach Jason Williams, and former Port Adelaide and St Kilda defender Jarrod Lienert.
2025 Indigenous All-Stars Squad
- Callum Ah Chee – Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina, Yawuru
- Karl Amon - Noonuccal
- Shai Bolton - Minang and Wilman
- Jase Burgoyne – Kokatha, Larrakia, Warai
- Charlie Cameron – Waanyi and Lardil
- Jeremy Finlayson - Yorta Yorta
- Jade Gresham - Yorta Yorta
- Bobby Hill – Whadjuk, Ballardong, Noongar
- Brad Hill – Wilmen, Noongar
- Jason Horne-Francis - Wardaman
- Lawson Humphries - Nyul Nyul, Oomiday, Worrora
- Jarman Impey - Yorta Yorta
- Joel Jeffrey – Kukatj, Wulwulam
- Ash Johnson – Jaru, Kija
- Liam Jones – Kija*
- Tim Kelly – Noongar, Wongi, Yamatji
- Coen Livingstone – Balardong, Noongar
- Ben Long – Anmatjerre
- Steven May - Larrakia
- Jesse Motlop - Larrakia
- Alex Pearce - Palawa*
- Kysaiah Pickett – Yamatji, Noongar
- Willie Rioli – Tiwi
- Maurice Rioli - Tiwi
- Liam Ryan – Yamatji
- Izak Rankine - Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri
- Tyson Stengle – Wirangu
- Jy Simpkin - Yorta Yorta
- Michael Walters – Whadjuk, Wilmen and Ngarrindjeri
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – Kokatha, Narangga
*Won’t play on Saturday, due to injury
Saturday’s clash between the All-Stars and Fremantle at Optus Stadium will kick off at 4.30pm local time (7.30pm AEDT).
