Essendon great Tim Watson has queried Alastair Clarkon’s future at Hawthorn, following comments made by the legendary four-time premiership coach.
Clarkson told Afl.com.au that ‘baby steps’ would need to be taken towards a new deal, who will come out of contract at the end of the 2019 season.
He is yet to verbally commit to the Hawks as they rebuild their list from one of the most successful eras in AFL/VFL history, including three successive premierships from 2013-15.
“It is not something we have heard from him before, so it is curious that he would put that out there if that is what he is thinking,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“If he were to come out of contract next year, there will be an enormous amount of interest in him.”
Melbourne champion Garry Lyon also weighed in on the issue, who thinks that the return of Jeff Kennett will have some affect on Clarkson’s future.
“Knowing Jeff’s attitude towards set tenures, particularly for board members and himself as a chairman, I think your mind goes, ‘he is back and in charge, I’ve been here for 15 years, I have to ask myself these questions,’” Lyon added.
“Jeff has indicated that he wants to extend him, which goes against his own philosophies, but I think it would be a set off in your brain to say, it is time to think about these questions.”