KENNETT DENIES COACH CRISIS MEETING

HAWKS president Jeff Kennett has dismissed claims the club had to call a crisis meeting to solve differences between Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell as they prepare to enter a one-year coaching succession plan.

Kennett sent a letter to Hawthorn members on Tuesday night to say the four-time premiership coach and the four-time premiership player had “behaved admirably” since the club announced the handover.

Under plans announced this month, Clarkson will coach out the last year of his contract in 2022 and Mitchell will take over in 2023.

Kennett also dismissed a suggestion “that I would be happy to pay out Alastair’s contract and have Sam coach next year”.

“This is a complete fabrication,” Kennett said.

“I have always said I want

Alastair to complete his contract, not only because at Hawthorn we honour contracts but also because Alastair has said several times publicly, he intends to honour his contract.”

Kennett said Hawthorn planned a meeting last week between Clarkson, Mitchell, head of football Rob McCartney and Leading Teams founder Ray McLean.

He rubbished claims of a Clarkson-Mitchell “blow-up” that required “mediation”.

He said the playing group was aware of the meeting.

“These meetings are designed to work out the individual and shared responsibilities between Alastair and Sam as we prepare for the transition at the end of next year’s season,” Kennett said.

“These meetings are common sense. We would be derelict in our duty if these meetings did not take place.”