Alastair Clarkson

Clarkson reportedly making calls for possible coaching return

“There’s a high profile ex-AFL coach who’s recently out of the game, has been calling a few free agents directly telling them not to re-sign because I will be coaching next year.”

Published by
Jake Benoiton

Alastair Clarkson is reportedly aiming to coach again in 2023.

The former Hawthorn coach left the helm at Waverly Park at the end of the 2021 season and opted to turn down the coaching gig at Carlton which he was hot favourite for at one time.

Speaking on Dead Set Legends Adelaideformer Port Adelaide midfielder Tom Rockliff said that a former coach was calling free agents telling them that he was interested in their services for 2023 and beyond.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Hawks head coach Alastair Clarkson speaks to the media during a Hawthorn Hawks AFL training session at Waverley Park on March 29, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"There’s a high profile ex-AFL coach who’s recently out of the game, has been calling a few free agents directly telling them not to re-sign because I will be coaching next year," Rockliff said.

Rockliff then said that he had word that Clarkson had been talking about a possible return to the hot seat in 2023.

"Alastair Clarkson has been making phone calls,” he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Tom Rockliff and his Power team mates look dejected after losing the round 22 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

"That is the mail that I’ve heard… I’m not sure which club, I don’t know if he’s said which club he’s going to."

Clarkson has been linked with the Gold Coast job with Stuart Dew under pressure and out of contract at the end of the season.

While the four-time premiership coach has long been a target of the Blues, it's hard to see a scenario where they part ways with new coach Michael Voss after just a year at the helm.

 

Published by
Jake Benoiton