Hawks chief’s call on Clarko
REINSTATED Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett concedes that he was wrong about a plan to end coach Alastair Clarkson’s tenure at the club after 10 seasons.
Kennett’s shock return to the Hawks after seven years will see the renewal of one of footy’s most volatile presidentcoach relationships.
The former Victorian premier once threatened to drop Clarkson to the VFL over a series of losses early in 2010.
“I am not going to change my story now ... I have always said to Clarko that he should go after 10 years,” he said.
“But the board at the time and he agreed to extend that contract, and that’s good and that’s worked out very well for the club. There is always that exception.”
Clarkson, 49, would have ended his coaching career at the Hawks after the 2014 flag under Kennett’s mantra on time served by club officials.
The four-time premiership coach is contracted to the Hawks until the end of the 2019 season.
“I have got no idea what will happen as we get to the end of his contract,” Kennett said of Clarkson yesterday.
“All I know is that we have him for two years. I am simply saying ... without knowing what will happen beyond that, don’t lose sight of watching this space in the meantime.
“We are not here to simply occupy a position within the AFL. We are here to win.
“He (Clarkson) and I have always had a very good robust relationship. Neither are sycophantic to the other ... one might say his and mine was a little too robust. I don’t know.
“The point is, it delivered the outcomes that our members wanted and our players wanted. And it also stood the club in good stead from the period when I left.
“I am looking forward to working with him again.
“He has two more years on his current contract. He told me the other day when I met him that he is going to honour that, which is good.
“There is an urgency for me about the current situation which is exciting.”
Clarkson was notified of Kennett’s return early yesterday by acting Hawthorn chief executive Peter Nankivell.
Kennett was yet to speak to Clarkson late yesterday.
“Clarko’s contract may be extended, he may not wish it to be extended, but we have got him for two more years,” Kennett said.
“He is the most educated coach in the league ... it’s just not his professional training as a teacher, he also learns.
“He is the only coach I know that every year he has been at Hawthorn … he travels overseas, he looks at other facilities in other sports.”