News Clarkson news, media etc - he’s off into the Sunset!

[Strapping Young Lad]

Full Presser at the link below.

 

[MrPremiership]

I just don't understand why Mitchell would take an interview from Collingwood if he knew he was guaranteed the job, this could of been sorted alot quieter if that was the case?. Clarkson could of got through to 2022 .

I didn't think he actually had a proper interview, i.e. slides and analysis. He spoke with Hawks before going through that process

 

[MasterSamurai]

People are thinking that there was no ' Process' behind all this but that's not entirely true. For over 12 months it's been ' suck it and see' situation' over the direction of the on goings on field as the off field problems were made to linger. As the results seem to get worse on field and with Sammy in waiting, this was a opportunity for the board to make the decision that was hovering in the background for a while .
Whether the timing was good or bad is something we'll know in time but it was NOT a rash , Panic decision as some are made to think .
Caroline Wilson wrote an article back mid 2017 that not everyone was happy with what was going on at Hawthorn. This was a slow burn.
Top 4 finish in 2018 muddied the waters a bit so whatever decision was going to be made about the next coach of Hawthorn was postponed.
What's done is done, Clarko is a legend and let's celebrate the brilliance of the man for the next 6 weeks.

 

[chopflop]

I just don't understand why Mitchell would take an interview from Collingwood if he knew he was guaranteed the job, this could of been sorted alot quieter if that was the case?. Clarkson could of got through to 2022 .

He was putting the acid on pure and simple. He is ambitious....

 

[Roger Rogerson]

I just don't understand why Mitchell would take an interview from Collingwood if he knew he was guaranteed the job, this could of been sorted alot quieter if that was the case?. Clarkson could of got through to 2022 .

Because he didn't know whether it would be in 2023 or 2026.

 

[Kanga Commando]

He was putting the acid on pure and simple. He is ambitious....

I reckon thats the first time anyone has said that. You are quite possibly correct. Although Hawthorn blinked, Mitchell may have poked them in the eye deliberately.

 

[PhatHQ]

Yep I get the process and your right with the only clarification Mitchell being was verbally told the job was his day one. I’ve typed and deleted, typed and deleted cos I risk revealing sources. I’ll settle on this, there’s been a concerted effort to get rid of the coach or hope he calls it, instead of being integral in undermining that a strong administration should find a pathway to solving it. Particularly given this coaches history.

That is shIt if that’s the case. Im not one for politics but I am one for legacy and Clarko has the right to leave a long standing one. If it needs to be 12 months early then all parties need to come up with a resolution and get it done as this will undermine the fabric and culture of the club IMO.
Jeff can heck off with his smug assessment of the situation and just call a spade a spade. All of those personalities should be tough enough to take it on the chin and move forward.
That shIt pisses me off.

 

[Hawkk]

That is sh*t if that’s the case. Im not one for politics but I am one for legacy and Clarko has the right to leave a long standing one. If it needs to be 12 months early then all parties need to come up with a resolution and get it done as this will undermine the fabric and culture of the club IMO.
Jeff can **** off with his smug assessment of the situation and just call a spade a spade. All of those personalities should be tough enough to take it on the chin and move forward.
That sh*t pisses me off.

Just on this. It’s a myth that’s Kennett presidency has been some sort of golden era for the club.

2006 to 2011

1 flag, 1 PF, 4 finals series

2017 to 2021

1 finals series, 3 bottom 4 finishes

I mean it’s not like Kennett was a Newbold, Coote, Ryan (3 flags) or Cook (2 flags)

In a sense, Kennett’s administration has been mediocre by Hawthorn standards.

Clarkson by contrast is our most successful coach, better then Kennedy and Jeans (3 flags each)

His record is a cut above any other in the history of the most successful VFL / AFL club since 1914

 

[tommyk72]

No one here knows the circumstances about what's going on and that includes the media, they haven't got a clue.
Clarke wanted an extension and wanted answer now and not at end of season as agreed.
Jeff and board went through the process with all the relevant information and decision made that employee Clarkson of Hawthorn football club will not get extension.
The King of the hill attitude was brought back down to terra firma with a almighty thud.
The employee was informed of decision and free to accept any offer from rivals if wants.
HFC receive more information about Clarko that he nor his manager supplied until confronted about it.
So far I can't see what the club has done wrong except maybe bending over backwards to please him.
Something no rival would do I don't think.
Best for Hawthorn football club to part ways with employee ASAP so club can move on I think.

Yep I get the process and your right with the only clarification Mitchell being was verbally told the job was his day one. I’ve typed and deleted, typed and deleted cos I risk revealing sources. I’ll settle on this, there’s been a concerted effort to get rid of the coach or hope he calls it, instead of being integral in undermining that a strong administration should find a pathway to solving it. Particularly given this coaches history.

Interesting - the two of you seem to have the best info on what is happening behind the scenes. But there seems to be quite a different in perspectives here. Care to enlighten Linda CRS or Opens positions?

 

[Linda CRS]

I just don't understand why Mitchell would take an interview from Collingwood if he knew he was guaranteed the job, this could of been sorted alot quieter if that was the case?. Clarkson could of got through to 2022 .

Collingwood asked he pondered and he then needed something in writing from us to make certain of his future. Pretty basic process.

 

[Linda CRS]

Interesting - the two of you seem to have the best info on what is happening behind the scenes. But there seems to be quite a different in perspectives here. Care to enlighten Linda CRS or Opens positions?

No, rather than repeating myself I’ll leave this subject now other than to go back to where I started. For all the challenge that Clarkson is supposedly to handle he needs to exit in the right manner. He’s not and that’s a terrible shame.

 

[savagelunchbox]

No, rather than repeating myself I’ll leave this subject now other than to go back to where I started. For all the challenge that Clarkson is supposedly to handle he needs to exit in the right manner. He’s not and that’s a terrible shame.

So what you're saying is he's a KPF and the door is at the top of the 50m arc, but Clarko is sitting at the top of the goal square not leading towards the door?

 

[CHUBBSS]

Least we know the board members seat hangs on the basis of one decision, will be interesting how it plays out over the next 3 years - 6 years

 

[Turly]

So what you're saying is he's a KPF and the door is at the top of the 50m arc, but Clarko is sitting at the top of the goal square not leading towards the door?

You're really starting to embarrass yourself now.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Just on this. It’s a myth that’s Kennett presidency has been some sort of golden era for the club.

2006 to 2011

1 flag, 1 PF, 4 finals series

2017 to 2021

1 finals series, 3 bottom 4 finishes

I mean it’s not like Kennett was a Newbold, Coote, Ryan (3 flags) or Cook (2 flags)

In a sense, Kennett’s administration has been mediocre by Hawthorn standards.

Clarkson by contrast is our most successful coach, better then Kennedy and Jeans (3 flags each)

His record is a cut above any other in the history of the most successful VFL / AFL club since 1914

Jeff doesn't coach the team. For all his faults, it wasn't him that's lead us to a bottom four finish and quite possibly our first spoon in 60 years.

 

[thehardway]

I think an evaluation of performance of the board is needed. Needs to be pushed in a different thread me thinks.
And while I see the correlation to this thread in that Clarko has been let go by said board, he owns every part as much in that lack of delivery of results as everyone else. And is being moved on because of that. Had he been achieving promising results the decision and discussion would likely have gone differently.

He's had some cattle who have gone backwards, stagnated, not improved, seemed lacking in real desire at times, played uninspired and ugly football for professionals. That's on the coach's watch if lasting more than half a season or so.
In that we haven't seen, IMO, a maximization of the talent we DO have, nor any particular game plan or style that is being trialed/implemented that would lead me to believe a change in fortunes when those ideas have become better ingrained, nor ANY word from the players insisting they want Clarko to continue, I see the time as reasonable for us to try a new direction.

ZERO guarantee it will be successful. But sometimes you just have to DO and create success FROM the doing.

I understand the loyalty to Clarko. But he's not bigger than the Club.
We moved forward after Kennedy, Parkin, Yabby, and we'll do the same after Clarko.
It's our mission statement, our ethos, our history, and our unwillingness to simply accept mediocrity or worse that has driven our success.
It's time to go again.

Excellent post. You've brought some clarity to the ending of Clarko's reign. Ultimately it's about results and we're now in our 6th season since the 2015 flag. And where are we at? Staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon and a list that only a hawk supporter could be positive about. Clarko will be remembered as a great of the club and we should be forever grateful but it's time to move on. IMO though the changeover should happen at the end of this season.

 

[flinchfree]

.............. the underlying issue is that the bolded statement should also apply to Jeff.

Agree.

 

[Hawkk]

Jeff doesn't coach the team. For all his faults, it wasn't him that's lead us to a bottom four finish and quite possibly our first spoon in 60 years.

Agree, but so much of Kennett’s mystic was the glory era from 2006 to 2011.

The reality is that the club has failed to meet any of its objectives as outlined by Kennett at the 2017 AGM.

In the past he could at least rely on Tasmania, this is the first time we haven’t renewed the contract for 18 to 24 months from its expiry

 

[toomanysquibs]

"Clarkson news, media etc"

The medium used to nefariously bring to light something that was never intended to be heard outside of the club, is literally in the title of this thread.

Nope.

This thread exists because Clarko and the playing group have failed to achieve reasonable and promising results for a number of seasons.
You've decided the announcement was inept.
I think it was a difficult scheduling moment that couldn't have been foretold.

All the other stuff about the board performance, contracts handed out, concentration of power.....belongs in it's own thread.

BTW, the 'news' of Jeff being able to ask for any of the board to quit is NOT news.
It was discussed on here at the time.
Back then, JK carried the confidence and imprimatur of having been involved previously at our Club in successful times and was thus considered teflon.
I argued strongly a few seasons back I didn't agree with his methodology or results but was shouted down by nearly all here. That's ok, time is the best revealer.
I don't think he's a great man for managing a business, but simply a great man for a crisis with his tone and stature and belief. He will convince you to not give up as the boat is sinking, he will implore you to believe, and might just be your best chance of not giving up and simply drowning. Many would push eachother off some valued flotsam, Kennett would promise you that if you shared the flotsam and kicked in unison then there was enough for everyone including an oversized one for himself.
However, should you make it to an island and need to organize fishing, water collection, shelter, a plan for returning to civilization, a positive mindset for your collective, an understanding of the profound and all within it.....well, you sure as sh*t better like doing it his way or you'll wake up with sand in your mouth and staked out in the hot hot sun.

 

[flinchfree]

"Clarkson news, media etc"

The medium used to nefariously bring to light something that was never intended to be heard outside of the club, is literally in the title of this thread.

Mate, there hasn't been a change of coach for any side the last 40 years that didn't play out in the media.
Think you're trying too hard and worried far too much about what people outside the Club are saying.
I couldn't give a rats what is written or said about the HFC, on the whole large blocks of journalism have been besmirching us since I started following the brown and gold in 75'.
Why give a shit.
Keep the wins and cups coming and the lore will write itself regardless of others intent.
So what if the Club and Clarko weren't able to do this super clean. Proud people struggle to accept change they don't seek.
We're not bringing in some drongo to replace Clarko and need to fret a search of others castoffs.
No. 5 is going to kill it.

 

[Billyc]

Very much appreciate Linda CRS contributions on this topic, as uncomfortable as the truth is. Clarkson deserves a lot better than the way he’s been and is being treated (and I mean that by way of process and respect rather than the decision to appoint Mitchell).

I have very little faith or confidence in those running the club at the moment.

We can debate the pros and cons of Clarkson finishing up (and both are valid) but there remains a large tumour at the club that needs to be excised.

 

[Bruno Oresar]

Bruno Oresar
McDonalds voucher winner
May 3, 2021Weary of his level of control and a perceived obstinance on his part as to the direction he is taking this playing group. Mail that I got was that the board do not see Clarko as the long term coach.
This is almost a direct quote - don’t shoot the messenger.”

The above was my message from May 2 - pretty spot on I think. Same source - Hawks owe Clarkson a fair chunk of money. Over 1 million. Join the dots from there

 

[BobHawk]

I critical aspect of the club board decision to inform Clarkson that his contract will not be renewed/extended is the strategy that was implemented some 5 years ago. That was to be the club of choice, or as the club framed it "a destination club". Most of the current ills emanate from that and the club has failed abysmally in recruiting talent. Missing on key players like Coniglio and Lynch, giving the house away for a forward pocket just to be in the trade game and taking highly speculative players from clubs like GWS. One serious tell tale sign of the mentality within was drafting a young kid with serious social issues that other clubs would not touch. His problems were not a secret. High risk high reward that was just not necessary in a pond full of young talent. The recent success of the team seemed to get ahead of the club which seemed to be run by over inflated egos that thought that they could do no wrong.

The benchmark for HFC was and continues to be Geelong which is now favourite for the flag after making the GF last year. The club strategy was to remain highly competitive in the way Geelong has managed to be for a decade now. A big question for the club is how is it that Geelong has continued to successfully recruit top tier talent and what were the specific failures of the original strategy. How did we get here? For sure Clarkson is front and centre of the club's failure and of course, it does not make sense to be paying $1M for a coach for sustained poor performance in what is now a major rebuild. Whist I support the decision Kennett and the board made they need to explain to members and supporters how we got here and what is being done to move the club into the next phase. They can't just pin the problems on the coach. It has been an incredible fall by modern sport standards.

Disclaimer: I want to be clear that I am not having a go at any players recruited. It is the decisions I am questioning.

 

[Yardie]

I critical aspect of the club board decision to inform Clarkson that his contract will not be renewed/extended is the strategy that was implemented some 5 years ago. That was to be the club of choice, or as the club framed it "a destination club". Most of the current ills emanate from that and the club has failed abysmally in recruiting talent. Missing on key players like Coniglio and Lynch, giving the house away for a forward pocket just to be in the trade game and taking highly speculative players from clubs like GWS. One serious tell tale sign of the mentality within was drafting a young kid with serious social issues that other clubs would not touch. His problems were not a secret. High risk high reward that was just not necessary in a pond full of young talent. The recent success of the team seemed to get ahead of the club which seemed to be run by over inflated egos that thought that they could do no wrong.

The benchmark for HFC was and continues to be Geelong which is now favourite for the flag after making the GF last year. The club strategy was to remain highly competitive in the way Geelong has managed to be for a decade now. A big question for the club is how is it that Geelong has continued to successfully recruit top tier talent and what were the specific failures of the original strategy. How did we get here? For sure Clarkson is front and centre of the club's failure and of course, it does not make sense to be paying $1M for a coach for sustained poor performance in what is now a major rebuild. Whist I support the decision Kennett and the board made they need to explain to members and supporters how we got here and what is being done to move the club into the next phase. They can't just pin the problems on the coach. It has been an incredible fall by modern sport standards.

Disclaimer: I want to be clear that I am not having a go at any players recruited. It is the decisions I am questioning.

How can Geelong be the benchmark when they are ten years away from their last flag and we are six?

 

[TylerDurden]

I critical aspect of the club board decision to inform Clarkson that his contract will not be renewed/extended is the strategy that was implemented some 5 years ago. That was to be the club of choice, or as the club framed it "a destination club". Most of the current ills emanate from that and the club has failed abysmally in recruiting talent. Missing on key players like Coniglio and Lynch, giving the house away for a forward pocket just to be in the trade game and taking highly speculative players from clubs like GWS. One serious tell tale sign of the mentality within was drafting a young kid with serious social issues that other clubs would not touch. His problems were not a secret. High risk high reward that was just not necessary in a pond full of young talent. The recent success of the team seemed to get ahead of the club which seemed to be run by over inflated egos that thought that they could do no wrong.

The benchmark for HFC was and continues to be Geelong which is now favourite for the flag after making the GF last year. The club strategy was to remain highly competitive in the way Geelong has managed to be for a decade now. A big question for the club is how is it that Geelong has continued to successfully recruit top tier talent and what were the specific failures of the original strategy. How did we get here? For sure Clarkson is front and centre of the club's failure and of course, it does not make sense to be paying $1M for a coach for sustained poor performance in what is now a major rebuild. Whist I support the decision Kennett and the board made they need to explain to members and supporters how we got here and what is being done to move the club into the next phase. They can't just pin the problems on the coach. It has been an incredible fall by modern sport standards.

Disclaimer: I want to be clear that I am not having a go at any players recruited. It is the decisions I am questioning.

To be fair, the Cats current team is made up of a high percentage of players over 30. Then they traded 3 firsts for Cameron.
They may win the flag this year, or may not. But their cliff will be the biggest we've ever seen.

 

[BobHawk]

How can Geelong be the benchmark when they are ten years away from their last flag and we are six?

To be fair, the Cats current team is made up of a high percentage of players over 30. Then they traded 3 firsts for Cameron.
They may win the flag this year, or may not. But their cliff will be the biggest we've ever seen.

I am happy to be corrected but my recollection is that it was the club that wanted to follow Geelong's model. It was the club that used Geelong as the benchmark. Nothing wrong with this because you always look at what your biggest competitors are doing. But we need answers from Kennett and the board given the enormity of the failure. In any business this is when wholesale sackings begin. And not just in one department because this has been a whole of organisation failure.