Clarkson suddenly feels the pressure
THE dramatic crossroads awaiting Alastair Clarkson and Hawthorn is coming to a head, after a rampaging Melbourne continued the Hawks’ horror show in Sydney yesterday.
It must suddenly be getting close to decision time for the super coach and the modernday giants about what the future holds at Hawthorn after three consecutive big losses was rounded out by a 43-point spanking by the Demons at Giants Stadium.
The second-oldest list in the AFL now finds itself in uncharted territory and pressure is mounting on the Hawks to finally commit to a lengthy rebuild at the draft.
But the million-dollar question is if Hawthorn does bow to a rebuild, is Clarkson the man to see it through? Clarkson was a picture of frustration in the coaches’ box for much of the carve-up, with cameras often capturing him either swearing in disgust or head in hands as the Demons ran Hawthorn ragged in every department.
Talk has been swirling all week since former Hawks premiership star Jordan Lewis questioned whether Clarkson would have the “energy” for a lengthy knockdown rebuild.
Kane Cornes went a step further on SEN radio yesterday, calling on Clarkson to step aside, while St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he would like to see Clarkson challenge himself with a new assignment at another club.
ALASTAIR Clarkson says Hawthorn’s problems cannot be solved by simply surrendering to a rebuild at the draft, as pressure mounts on the Hawks and their coach to settle on a long-term plan.
Clarkson said he was unaware club president Jeff Kennett had commented on his coaching future, as he admitted there was no quick-fix to the crisis in confidence Hawthorn is facing after suffering a third straight loss yesterday.
Some of the biggest names in football including Leigh Matthews, Wayne Carey, Matthew Lloyd, Dermott Brereton and Ross Lyon have weighed in on Clarkson’s future.
Clarkson refused to respond to the speculation yesterday.
“We’ve just spoken about Will Day and young Josh Morris. We’ll continue to inject players. We always have at this footy club and that’s the way forward for all footy clubs. The way forward for all footy clubs too is to complement your current list. You can’t just go to the draft,” Clarkson said.
“There’s not a side in the competition that can do that now. It’s not a pure draft anymore. There’s compromise everywhere, so every side in the competition [must] inject young players through the draft as well as complementing their group with players from other clubs. We like many clubs have been able to exploit that opportunity of trading for players over the best part of 10-15 years. We’ll just keep working away.”