Just announced on SEN that Clarkson has re-signed for 3 years to end of 2014.

Well, there goes that pipedream. He was the one I wanted, although deep down I knew he would re-sign

There are a couple of rounds and finals to go, right? I did not know it was the end of the season. Looks like Melbourne made Hawthorn panic.

One closed door, two doors still open

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/121947/default.aspx

There are a couple of rounds and finals to go, right? I did not know it was the end of the season. Looks like Melbourne made Hawthorn panic.

Huge back pedal from Hawthorn and Clarkson.

Good players make a good coach and he has been provided with them. His recruiting team have been outstanding getting Hale,Burgoyne and Gibson.(3!!!)

MFC (Football Dept) haven't fired a shot in years in this area and are the perennial bridesmaid. When will we nail a decent one I wonder?

Should forget Clarkson forever on the back of this little effort, but I doubt he'll be worried.

Huge back pedal from Hawthorn and Clarkson.

Good players make a good coach and he has been provided with them. His recruiting team have been outstanding getting Hale,Burgoyne and Gibson.(3!!!)

MFC (Football Dept) haven't fired a shot in years in this area and are the perennial bridesmaid. When will we nail a decent one I wonder?

Should forget Clarkson forever on the back of this little effort, but I doubt he'll be worried.

While it is disappointing tha the is one we can cross off the list, I also see it as a positive. IF we made that big play, it is good to know that for once, our footy club pushed another club in to a corner and made them react. It has been said all year that they wont re-sign Clarkson until the end of the season, but all of a sudden, we come in with a top offer and the Hawks crapped themselves and up-ed their offer and as I would expect with that list, he signed.

If we keep that type of attack up, we will land one of the good ones. As soon as a club stuffs their coach around, it will potentially put some doubt in their mind and they will start looking more seriously at our offer. Good to be on this end of it for a change.

There are a couple of rounds and finals to go, right? I did not know it was the end of the season. Looks like Melbourne made Hawthorn panic.

Yeah agree. The 'Chief' must have had his way with the former Premier. You don't want to upset the silver back. {tongue-in-cheek}

Here's an (alleged) transcript from the Hawthorn board room 9:03am this morning: -

Kennett: "Well hellooo Jason, please do come in. Take a seat. Why the sudden urgency for this meeting ? I haven't yet finished my yoghurt and muesli"(in a true Kennett style tone)

The Chief (Dunstall): "Listen here Jeff. Did you happen to watch The Footy Show last night by any chance ? Was there any chance of that happening ?"

Kennett: "Why Jason, come on now. Why on earth would I give my time to watch such a pathetic display of the English language ? What did I say this time, that they have repeated ? Have they attacked me or the club in anyway, shape or form ? Hmmm...they couldn't possibly we're going so well, all my hard work is paying off.."

The Chief: "No. Not this time Jeff. Garry announced Melbourne have signed on a new sponsor..."

Kennett: "Ohh..whoop de do Jason, clubs sign new sponsors all the time..what is it this time, Mt Buller chalet ?"

The Chief: "No it isn't you f-wit. Now listen to me. They have signed a record sponsor deal worth a $6 million/3yr deal and you don't want to budge on 'Al's' contract until the end of the year. We risk losing him Jeff!..Melbourne are out there making offers and they're reportedly keen on an experienced coach and Clarko is one of their targets. Let's sign him now."

Kennett: "Now Jason, steady on. Clarko is going no where. Besides $6 million for 3 years, surely that's just like any other sponsorship deal for any club..like ours with Tassie...don't be so concerned"

The Chief: "No Jeff ! It's a key sponsor, but they're only going to be on the back of their jumper. They'll be getting another sponsor for the front of their jumper. They've got money to get a top coach, and with their list it's exactly what I'd be doing. They're serious Jeff, forget about the end of year bulls!t signing. You won't be here after the season. We have a club about to embark on a Premierhip campaign and you're up here twidling your thumbs totally oblivious to the football industry landscape ! Sign him now !"

Kennett: {Gulp!}

"Well I suppose we've secured top 4....ok get Clarko up here with the contract - but wait Jason, what about Mick ?!"

The Chief: "Jeff !"

Kennett: "Alright, Clarko it is. Fancy bending over to the pressure of Melbourne of all things, sheesh..."

The Chief exits and murmurs under his breath: "It's no wonder you lost the election...{f-wit}"