High praise for mentor

DAMIEN Hardwick has lauded four-time AFL premiership coach Alastair Clarkson as the inspiration behind his own coaching career, saying he has already tapped into the Hawthorn premiership winner.

The Richmond coach, a former Hawks assistant, said Clarkson provided him with the pathway towards a senior career but also helped to arm him with the tools to succeed.

“(I) watched how he invigorated the players to do something,” Hardwick said.