Clarkson Remains Commited To The Hawks
Despite the fact he is yet to be re-signed as Hawthorn coach, Alistair Clarkson has declared that he remains loyal to the Hawthorn Football Club, despite constant speculation that he could end up elsewhere next season.
Clarkson’s performance as coach of the injury ravaged Hawks has been praised by many in the AFL community. The Hawks currently sit in the top four with an 11-4 record, despite the fact they are missing a host of key players.
At the start of the year Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett asserted that no matter how the Hawks fared during the season the club would be leaving Clarkson’s contract negotiations until the end of the season. However despite the fact that rival clubs are now circling, Kennett remains committed to leaving the contract negotiations until the end of the season.
However Hawks fans can rest easy after Clarkson said he wishes to remain in his current ‘privileged position’.
Speaking at the funeral of legendary Hawks coach Allan Jeans, Clarkson said that ‘these types of days make you really proud to about being a Hawthorn person’.
“I want to stay here as long as I can,” said Clarkson.
“We will work that out at the end of the year. But everything is tracking pretty well at the minute and I am sure that if we have a good finish to the year, then we will work things out about what happens from next year and beyond.”
Liam Pickering, who acts as manager for Clarkson has labeled Kennett’s refusal to do business until the end of the season as ‘stubborn’.
Speculation about Clarkson’s future has been rife since Melbourne Demons legend and respected media commentator Gary Lyon said that Clarkson (who spent time at the Demons as a player) would be the perfect fit as head coach of the embattled club.
Clarkson was assistant coach to Mark Williams at Port Adelaide before joining the Hawks and there has been constant innuendo that the Crows are preparing to offer the 2008 premiership coach a big money deal.
Clarkson has also been linked with the likes of the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Port Adelaide.
The Hawks will meet one of Clarkson’s suitors, the Melbourne Demons on Sunday at the MCG.
The Hawks will be boosted by the return of premiership players Cyril Rioli, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis.
