THERE’S nothing quite like a footy controversy in the lead up to a Grand Final, and we got one last night on Fox Footy after veteran journalist Mike Sheahan suggested that Alastair Clarkson would leave Hawthorn after Saturday’s final against Fremantle.
“My view about West Coast is that their next coach will come out of the grand final,” Sheahan said during On The Couch.
“Don’t assume that it will be Peter Sumich.
“Whatever the result on the weekend West Coast will make an offer to Alastair Clarkson that he will take.
“Right now my view is that Clarko will coach West Coast next year.
“If they lose, I think that both parties will be happy to part company.
“If they win he’s delivered them two premierships, West Coast would come at him with a four to five year deal I think he says ‘I’ve paid my dues here I want to go there and have another long term deal’.”
Clarkson is understood to be under contract to Hawthorn to the end of the 2014 season.
The response today has been immediate with both Clarkson’s agent, Liam Pickering, and the club shooting down Sheehan.
The Hawthorn Football Club released a statement on their website this morning saying:
In response to comments made on Fox Footy last night, Hawthorn Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson would like to make the following statement:
“Those who know me well would understand that my values would never have me walk away from a commitment to our Club.
“My family and I have had a great journey with this Club and we are optimistic that the coming years are going to be an exciting time for Hawthorn Football Club.”
Pickering meanwhile responded via fellow SEN commentator Tim Watson who said on air this morning that Pickering had said Sheahan’s assertion was “factually incorrect”.
Watson quoted Pickering as saying that “Al Clarkson will be coaching Hawthorn footy club next year and will not be coaching the West Coast Eagles.”
More to come.
Image courtesy of and with permission by Jenny Owens. All rights reserved.