Murray MiddletonCool, Calm, Collected
May 13th 2008 12:23
This afternoon Alastair Clarkson signed a three year extension to his contract as Hawthorn coach. The deal will take Clarkson through to the end of the 2011 season. Hawthorn has won seven matches in a row. The only other undefeated team are 2007 premiers Geelong. The Hawks have a list bulging with talent. Although they are already one of the best teams in the competition, there is huge room for improvement. By the time that Clarkson’s next contract is up there is every possibility that he will be a premiership coach.
This is Clarkson’s third contract. When he was first appointed coach the Hawks were widely criticised for missing out on the more fancied Terry Wallace and Rodney Eade. Hawthorn, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs were the bottom three teams. All sought a new coach. Although season 2008 is yet to take shape entirely, all three clubs are moving in the right direction. Hawthorn and the Bulldogs sit comfortably in the top four. Richmond currently sits twelfth, but have shown signs of improvement in the past four matches.
Clarkson seems to have silenced his detractors (one of whom was his president). Initially he was signed to oversee what the Hawks called a ‘development phase’. Many experts felt that once this phase had been completed, a more experience coach – such as Leigh Matthews – would take the reigns. This will not happen. Clarkson has built an impressive list and, most importantly, seems to have the support of his players. The likes of Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell and Lewis are nearing the prime of their careers. The premiership window is well and truly alive.
The Hawks must make a serious assault on the 2008 Premiership. Although they are still a relatively young side, they should not look any further than this season. The premiership window can close very quickly. A season-ending injury to Lance Franklin or Luke Hodge would spell disaster for the Hawks. They should not rely on an era of success to yield a premiership. Once the two new teams enter the competition it will be even harder for clubs to enjoy sustained periods of success. With the possible exception of Brisbane, most sides only seriously compete for a premiership in two to three year blocks.
In 2004 St. Kilda came within one goal of reaching the grand final. The Saints did not appear too upset by their loss, believing that it was the beginning of their window of opportunity. They were wrong. A mixture of injuries, retirements and board room fighting has been blamed for the Saints’ slide down the ladder. Regardless of the cause, the club did not deliver on its promise. The Saints reached the 2005 preliminary final and lost again. In hindsight, 2004 was the perfect of opportunity for a premiership assault.
A side whose path seemed to mirror the Saints was Geelong. At the end of the 2006 season they almost sacked their coach. Fortunately, they opted for a calm approach. Last season Geelong played a tough and fast brand of football. They were the standout team in the competition and deservedly won the premiership. The Cats have struggled this season. Although they remain undefeated, they have been seriously challenged by the likes of Fremantle, Brisbane and Port Adelaide. This can be read in two ways. One: they are vulnerable. Two: they will improve and dominate the competition once more.
On Monday night’s edition of ‘On the Couch’ Bulldog Robert Murphy commented on how relaxed Mark Thompson had seemed in the build up to last weekend’s state of origin match. Thompson is a coach who has done most of the hard work. Geelong’s match day performance lies largely in the hands of its players. Thompson has every right to be relaxed. Similarly, Clarkson has won the support of his players. He ‘bottomed out’ successfully and gained a wealth of talent. All he has to do is steer the talent in the right direction. Ultimately, the players must possess the hunger.
At the moment there are four teams who appear to be streets ahead of the rest: Geelong, Hawthorn, Adelaide and the Bulldogs. At some point likely challengers might include: Collingwood, Port Adelaide, Sydney and – on the odd chance they get their act together – St. Kilda. The football world cannot wait for the late-season clash between Hawthorn and Geelong. Geelong has proven themselves. Hawthorn has not. At this point Geelong deserve to be favourites for the flag. But it is worth asking the following question: Does the plight of Geelong and Hawthorn resemble that of Essendon and Brisbane in 2001?
This is Clarkson’s third contract. When he was first appointed coach the Hawks were widely criticised for missing out on the more fancied Terry Wallace and Rodney Eade. Hawthorn, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs were the bottom three teams. All sought a new coach. Although season 2008 is yet to take shape entirely, all three clubs are moving in the right direction. Hawthorn and the Bulldogs sit comfortably in the top four. Richmond currently sits twelfth, but have shown signs of improvement in the past four matches.
Clarkson seems to have silenced his detractors (one of whom was his president). Initially he was signed to oversee what the Hawks called a ‘development phase’. Many experts felt that once this phase had been completed, a more experience coach – such as Leigh Matthews – would take the reigns. This will not happen. Clarkson has built an impressive list and, most importantly, seems to have the support of his players. The likes of Franklin, Hodge, Mitchell and Lewis are nearing the prime of their careers. The premiership window is well and truly alive.
The Hawks must make a serious assault on the 2008 Premiership. Although they are still a relatively young side, they should not look any further than this season. The premiership window can close very quickly. A season-ending injury to Lance Franklin or Luke Hodge would spell disaster for the Hawks. They should not rely on an era of success to yield a premiership. Once the two new teams enter the competition it will be even harder for clubs to enjoy sustained periods of success. With the possible exception of Brisbane, most sides only seriously compete for a premiership in two to three year blocks.
In 2004 St. Kilda came within one goal of reaching the grand final. The Saints did not appear too upset by their loss, believing that it was the beginning of their window of opportunity. They were wrong. A mixture of injuries, retirements and board room fighting has been blamed for the Saints’ slide down the ladder. Regardless of the cause, the club did not deliver on its promise. The Saints reached the 2005 preliminary final and lost again. In hindsight, 2004 was the perfect of opportunity for a premiership assault.
A side whose path seemed to mirror the Saints was Geelong. At the end of the 2006 season they almost sacked their coach. Fortunately, they opted for a calm approach. Last season Geelong played a tough and fast brand of football. They were the standout team in the competition and deservedly won the premiership. The Cats have struggled this season. Although they remain undefeated, they have been seriously challenged by the likes of Fremantle, Brisbane and Port Adelaide. This can be read in two ways. One: they are vulnerable. Two: they will improve and dominate the competition once more.
On Monday night’s edition of ‘On the Couch’ Bulldog Robert Murphy commented on how relaxed Mark Thompson had seemed in the build up to last weekend’s state of origin match. Thompson is a coach who has done most of the hard work. Geelong’s match day performance lies largely in the hands of its players. Thompson has every right to be relaxed. Similarly, Clarkson has won the support of his players. He ‘bottomed out’ successfully and gained a wealth of talent. All he has to do is steer the talent in the right direction. Ultimately, the players must possess the hunger.
At the moment there are four teams who appear to be streets ahead of the rest: Geelong, Hawthorn, Adelaide and the Bulldogs. At some point likely challengers might include: Collingwood, Port Adelaide, Sydney and – on the odd chance they get their act together – St. Kilda. The football world cannot wait for the late-season clash between Hawthorn and Geelong. Geelong has proven themselves. Hawthorn has not. At this point Geelong deserve to be favourites for the flag. But it is worth asking the following question: Does the plight of Geelong and Hawthorn resemble that of Essendon and Brisbane in 2001?
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