Damo: I’m Calling Clarko’s Bluff

Triple M Footy’s Damian Barrett says he is calling Alastair Clarkson’s bluff after the Hawthorn coach complained about Sydney’s blocking tactics on the weekend.

Clarkson was not happy following the Hawks’ thrilling eight-point loss to the Swans and told reporters at his post-match media press conference that his side wasn’t done any favours by the umpires’ interpretation of the blocking rule.

However, Damo wasn’t buying that and told Triple M’s Rush Hour on Monday that the four-time premiership coach was “carrying on a bit”. 

“The ones (incidents) Alastair Clarkson was referring to late in the game, one went against Hawthorn after (Jarryd) Roughead had taken a mark – it was deemed that (Will) Langford infringed upon (Heath) Grundy,” Damo said.

“To me, upon every replay, the free kick was right to be paid to Grundy so Roughead had the ball taken off him.

“What he (Clarkson) was referring to there also a few moments later, the ball came in, Grundy and (Dane) Rampe were two on one to Roughead, the ball came in too high for Roughead and again, in my estimations, no need for the umpire to pay a free kick to Roughead as Alastair Clarkson said he should have been. 

“When (Sydney coach) John Longmire refers to the Hawthorn forwards as being elite in that discipline of blocking and just keeping opponents away from marking contests, well Isaac Smith kept an opponent away from Jack Gunston at one stage during that game where he (Gunston) clearly marked it.

“So I think Clarko is carrying on a bit here, I’m calling his bluff ... I’m not buying what he says.”