Clarkson returns to Blues coaching picture

Lyon was not interested in taking part in a lengthy process.

The coaching subcommittee is led by football director Greg Williams and includes fellow directors Tim Lincoln and Patty Kinnersly, threetime premiership coach David Parkin, CEO Cain Liddle and head of football Brad Lloyd.

Asked on Footy Classified if the goalposts had changed because of the subcommittee, Lyon said: “I was watching the news and what was being released so I reached out to Luke today and we connected and said ‘just want some clarity’.

“Luke was terrific, he said ‘we’re finalising it, putting some finishing touches on it’, which they’ve clearly done with the panel.”

Carlton’s decision to include Liddle and Lloyd on the subcommittee raised eyebrows after Sayers late last week failed to guarantee their futures.

Lyon and Lloyd’s relationship soured at Fremantle in 2018 while Lyon’s loyalty to close mate and business partner Steven Silvagni posed as a problem to Liddle, who messily sacked Silvagni as list manager in 2019.

Questions were also raised over Lyon because of concerns about an investigation involving behaviour towards a female staffer at Fremantle.

A decision by Brad Scott to re-enter the coaching ranks would likely see Essendon football boss Josh Mahoney secure the AFL football operations position at league headquarters.

The AFL’s decision on who replaces Steve Hocking in the role is imminent.

If Clarkson were to coach Carlton it would also be an about-face.