Hawthorn Director Jason Dunstall Says Negotiations With Coach Alastair Clarkson Won't Be Brought Forward Despite Adelaide Crows Interest Post by: Ronny Lerner 28 July, 2011 - 10:51 AM

(Image: The Slattery Media Group)

Hawthorn football director Jason Dunstall has told The Mid-Week Rub that contractual negotiations with coach Alastair Clarkson would not be brought forward despite Adelaide reportedly preparing a substantial offer for the mastermind of the 2008 premiership.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has publicly maintained all year that talks with Clarkson, who comes out of contract at the end of the season, would not take place until the season ends.

But Triple M Footy newsbreaker Damian Barrett told The Mid-Week Rub that Kennett’s unwillingness to bring forward negotiations with Clarkson left the Hawks vulnerable to losing him.

Barrett insisted that the Crows will make a big play for Clarkson very soon to fill its vacant senior coaching position following Neil Craig’s resignation earlier this week.

But Dunstall was unperturbed and said Hawthorn wouldn’t alter its approach to handling Clarkson’s contractual situation just because Adelaide is in the market for an experienced coach.

Hear Damian Barrett and Dunstall go head-to-head over the issue (4m 21s):

“We’re like a lot of other clubs that have decisions to be made on their coaches that will be made in due process,” Dunstall told The Mid-Week Rub.

“And just because one club makes a change doesn’t mean you dump your due process.”

“I would hope that things pan out the way that nobody wants to go anywhere and nobody wants anyone to go anywhere, so all things will sort themselves out I’m sure.”

However, Barrett told Dunstall that Hawthorn had to dump its due process because Clarkson wasn’t sure if the club wanted him to coach beyond this season and could take up an offer to coach elsewhere as a result.

“They (Adelaide) will make approaches to Mick Malthouse, to Paul Roos ... Their next one along, and this is the order they’re going to do it in, is Alastair Clarkson,” Barrett said.

“He cannot say ‘no’ like Mick Malthouse and Paul Roos can because he doesn’t know if he’s wanted by his own club.”

Barrett also suggested that if Dunstall had full autonomy at Hawthorn, Clarkson would have already been re-signed but the legendary full-forward was being hampered by Kennett’s plan.

The Mid-Week Rub can be heard every Wednesday in Melbourne from 5.30pm.

Should Hawthorn alter its plan and re-sign Clarkson before the season ends?

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