The guy played 41 games for us in 1996-7 and was considered (by me at least) as a bit of a little rough nut pest who was just borderline AFL level. By that I mean he could get games with struggling clubs but not with the power houses and that's why he found himself at Melbourne in those days.

Later on, I had a brief experience of him with my junior club and I knew then that he was a student of the game. He kept notes on everything and was a thinker but I still hadn't figured out how great he could be.

Well, he's on his way to emulating the late great Norm Smith as a coach in this game of ours.

I love this wry comment that he made just before on 3AW when discussing his team's annihilation of Carlton which he shrugged off in this way:-

"I know it sounds dull, but it's all about September."

Read it and weep.

About to notch his 4th flag in his 11th season. In the modern game, that is outstanding. That's probably the equivalent (if not better) than 6 flags in 11 years under Norm Smith.

how can 4 be equivalent, if not better than 6?

how can 4 be equivalent, if not better than 6?

Well its an 18 team comp now and the interstate teams are force fed by the AFL to be strong

What was it when we won flags , 10 or 11 teams? Its much harder these days

Well its an 18 team comp now and the interstate teams are force fed by the AFL to be strong

What was it when we won flags , 10 or 11 teams? Its much harder these days

12. But more teams doesn't mean it is harder. If anything more teams means the talent pool is more stretched. So if you happen to have an excess of talent for a few years for whatever reason, you are more likely to keep winning.

12. But more teams doesn't mean it is harder. If anything more teams means the talent pool is more stretched. So if you happen to have an excess of talent for a few years for whatever reason, you are more likely to keep winning.

Yeah thats a fair point there Sue

6 Flags in 10 years is what it is.

Norm > Clarko

But i do hope he coaches the MFC in the future...

I am still wary of this Goodwin transition...

Clarkson also has the advantage of all the resources that Hawthorn has to offer.

I don't think Norm had quite the relatively advantageous resources at his disposal.

Not really a valid comparison and rather pointless. The game then was of mostly part timers and a less sophisticated game. Today highly professional. Both are among the legends in the Pantheon of coaches. That Clarko is this good and may still have another good ten years in the business is a marvel.

Edited July 25, 201510 yr by america de cali

Quitting in advance takes the cake, really sends a message of commitment.

MFC sends me an email saying why don't I come along tomorrow, nah sorry, been planning on walking the dog for four weeks.

I don't think he has said these exact words in an interview, but I think the best thing Clarkson ever 'said' was;

"Kick well, follow team rules, work hard, or you're out".

Also, somewhat less edifying, probably in his initial recruitment interview at Hawthorn;

"Yeah, I'm ok with tanking. I'll use the time to experiment with game plans. Just get the bloody draft picks right, ok?".

6 Flags in 10 years is what it is.

Norm > Clarko

But i do hope he coaches the MFC in the future...

I am still wary of this Goodwin transition...

Checker

v

Norm Smith

v

Barassi (blues) > (roos) > (demons) > (swans)

v v v v

pagan Roos

v v

clarko ??????

Jeff Kennett clearly knows a good coach when he sees one ...

Clarko in the same breath as Norm Smith is blasphemous!

Take nothing away from him and the Hawks, but reality is they were good right before half a decade of comprised drafts which held back the speed and development of worse off lists. Couple that with the introduction of free agency which has seen them clean up and you have a recipe for success.

Coaches from Norm Smiths era coached from the boundary line with the magoo's coach as the assistant.

That was it.

Winners are grinners.

Losers can do what they want.

Checker

v

Norm Smith

v

Barassi (blues) > (roos) > (demons) > (swans)

v v v v

pagan Roos

v v

clarko ??????

Smith > 6 flags

However you want to read it

Clarkson also has the advantage of all the resources that Hawthorn has to offer.

I don't think Norm had quite the relatively advantageous resources at his disposal.

Oh yes he did Melbourne was possibly the first club to professionally recruit and to provide employment for its players John Wren and local pubs notwithstanding

6 Flags in 10 years is what it is.

Norm > Clarko

But i do hope he coaches the MFC in the future...

I am still wary of this Goodwin transition...

When he does I bet Jeff Kennett will hop on board too.

how can 4 be equivalent, if not better than 6?

We won 8 out of 11 possible flags.

never to be repeated.

4 is pathetic-and they aren't there yet.

There is engine failure to consider.

Edited July 25, 201510 yr by Biffen

Clarko is already a great of the game He has re-invented the game with his tactics. Best coach of the last 40yrs

We won 8 out of 11 possible flags.

never to be repeated.

4 is pathetic-and they aren't there yet.

There is engine failure to consider.

Jesus. How I would love to be able to use this new definition of "pathetic" in relation to our club.

We won 8 out of 11 possible flags.

never to be repeated.

4 is pathetic-and they aren't there yet.

There is engine failure to consider.

Jesus. How I would love to be able to use this new definition of "pathetic" in relation to our club.

Suddenly all I can think of is Ocean Grove.

They played what Clarkson said when he was on On The Couch regarding congestion and holding the ball.

I couldn't have disagreed with him any more.

Basically, he was saying that holding the ball for prior opportunity isn't paid enough which is rubbish. Why is it rubbish? Because players rarely have prior opportunity before they are tackled.

The problem with congestion is firmly because so many players follow the ball around, not because holding the ball isn't being paid enough.

Edited July 26, 201510 yr by Clint Bizkit

They played what Clarkson said when he was on On The Couch regarding congestion and holding the ball.

I couldn't have disagreed wit him any more.

Basically, he was saying that holding the ball for prior opportunity isn't paid enough which is rubbish. Why is it rubbish? Because players rarely have prior opportunity before they are tackled.

The problem with congestion is firmly because so many players follow the ball around, not because holding the ball isn't being paid enough.

Suddenly there are more holding the ball decisions (mostly incorrect according to the rules) being paid today.

Coincidence?