- Oct 13, 2012
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- AFL Club
- Hawthorn
Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold has declared triumphant Alastair Clarkson ''the best coach in the AFL'' and acknowledged he is now a part of ''rarified air'' at the Hawks, having led his team to its second premiership in six years.
Newbold used his presidential address at the club's post grand final function at Crown Casino on Saturday night to laud Clarkson and his coaching group for producing one of the best seasons in the Hawks' history which was completed in stirring fashion.
''Quite simply, you are the best coach and coaching group in the AFL,'' Newbold said to warm applause. ''Alastair, you can now quite rightly take your place among the great coaches of this club, in Allan Jeans and John Kennedy Senior. That is rarified air, so congratulations.''
It was only days ago that Newbold was forced to quash media speculation that Clarkson would be offered and would accept a massive long-term deal to coach West Coast in Perth next season, but to Newbold and his executive team, it must have seemed like a distant memory on Saturday night.
As players and their families gathered to celebrate the win over Fremantle, Newbold said the club should not underestimate how hard the 2013 premiership was to achieve, given the enormous pressure that had followed the Hawks this season, having failed to follow up on its 2008 flag, when it appeared the club was on the verge of a dynasty.
''In terms of trials this club could take this 11th premiership. Ultimately we did not enjoy the meal last year. That fact caused a great hunger in this football club, which did not go away all year. In 2013, we have eaten well: main course, dessert and entree.
''At the AGM, I said out of this club there would be no excuses. In fact, the motto of this club is 'let us be judged on our actions'.''
''Well ladies and gentlemen, today, we have been judged on our actions. In sport, it is incredibly difficult to keep the promise of expectation. Everyone loyal to this club and this team has probably the best [team] in the competition. But we still have to go out and win it and today we did that.''
The president resisted the temptation to make bold predictions for next year; however, he joked that one board member was already talking about ''going back to back''.
Newbold would say only this to his players and coaches: ''You've climbed the mountain now enjoyed the view.''
All of Newbold, Clarkson and captain Luke Hodge made special mention of the players who had contributed during the year, but were not part of the 22 who played in the game. In particular, the players who suffered season-ending knee injuries: Brendan Whitecross, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward, who were praised by Clarkson. ''At Hawthorn, squads win premierships, not teams,'' Newbold added.
Newbold used his presidential address at the club's post grand final function at Crown Casino on Saturday night to laud Clarkson and his coaching group for producing one of the best seasons in the Hawks' history which was completed in stirring fashion.
''Quite simply, you are the best coach and coaching group in the AFL,'' Newbold said to warm applause. ''Alastair, you can now quite rightly take your place among the great coaches of this club, in Allan Jeans and John Kennedy Senior. That is rarified air, so congratulations.''
It was only days ago that Newbold was forced to quash media speculation that Clarkson would be offered and would accept a massive long-term deal to coach West Coast in Perth next season, but to Newbold and his executive team, it must have seemed like a distant memory on Saturday night.
As players and their families gathered to celebrate the win over Fremantle, Newbold said the club should not underestimate how hard the 2013 premiership was to achieve, given the enormous pressure that had followed the Hawks this season, having failed to follow up on its 2008 flag, when it appeared the club was on the verge of a dynasty.
''In terms of trials this club could take this 11th premiership. Ultimately we did not enjoy the meal last year. That fact caused a great hunger in this football club, which did not go away all year. In 2013, we have eaten well: main course, dessert and entree.
''At the AGM, I said out of this club there would be no excuses. In fact, the motto of this club is 'let us be judged on our actions'.''
''Well ladies and gentlemen, today, we have been judged on our actions. In sport, it is incredibly difficult to keep the promise of expectation. Everyone loyal to this club and this team has probably the best [team] in the competition. But we still have to go out and win it and today we did that.''
The president resisted the temptation to make bold predictions for next year; however, he joked that one board member was already talking about ''going back to back''.
Newbold would say only this to his players and coaches: ''You've climbed the mountain now enjoyed the view.''
All of Newbold, Clarkson and captain Luke Hodge made special mention of the players who had contributed during the year, but were not part of the 22 who played in the game. In particular, the players who suffered season-ending knee injuries: Brendan Whitecross, Ryan Schoenmakers, Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward, who were praised by Clarkson. ''At Hawthorn, squads win premierships, not teams,'' Newbold added.
