Clarkson calls for clarity on runners

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson yesterday insisted the runner rule was yet to be finalised, despite the AFL categorically stating it won’t budge on the new restrictions.

A week after footy boss Steve Hocking said changes “won’t happen, and for good reason”, the league on Monday continued to stand firm.

But Clarkson claimed he and the coaches had no idea what access runners would have this season.

“As we sit right here now we still don’t know exactly what’s going on with the runner rule and what the interpretation is going to be. That’s got its frustrations,” Clarkson said yesterday. “What we do need is clarity on what it’s going to look like.”

Clarkson and his former Hawthorn assistants Luke Beveridge and Chris Fagan have been among the most ardent critics after the leash was put on runners.

Under changes made in the off-season and enforced in the JLT series, runners may only enter the playing surface after a goal has been scored and must exit before play restarts — a period of around 45 seconds.

Yet Clarkson said three options were still alive only three days out from the RichmondCarlton season-opener at the MCG.

He said the AFL could put a cap on runner use per quarter, extend time limit after goals or stay with the rules put in place for the JLT series.

“We’re waiting to get clarity and I dare say it would need to happen today,” Clarkson said on SEN.

“We’ve got three days. We discussed it four days ago and I’d expect something would have been pushed through to the clubs by now.”

An AFL spokesmand said last night there would be no change in the runner restrictions.