AFL pre-season: Alastair Clarkson gives his take on the off-season rule changes for 2021

Being five goals down in the final quarter is usually a point of no return in the AFL. But all that is about to change according to the game’s best coach.

Nick Smart

7 min read

March 8, 2021 - 9:12AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Hawthorn young gun Tyler Brockman was on fire against the Roos. Picture: Getty Images

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Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson believes a five-goal lead going into the last final quarter will be ‘nothing now’ with the AFL’s rule changes to drastically speed up the game in 2021.

While the man on the mark rule change had been well documented, rotations getting cut from 90 to 75, which comes as quarters go back out to 20 minutes this year, was more noticeable during the AAMI Community Series.

The four-time premiership coach said this was “probably the most significant one (rule change) that’s had such an immediate impact.”

“Watching the St Kilda v Carlton game and the Richmond v Collingwood game, which preceded our game, I just noticed the fatigue in players later in games and the skill level had dropped off,” Clarkson said on SEN.

“It’s still too early to get a line through it all because players are naturally going to be fatigued with match conditioning in the earlier rounds of the season.

“But it’s going to be intriguing because the game is going to be faster paced because of the man on the mark rule, but teams are going to have to change gears because they just can’t sustain it with the lower interchange for four quarters.”

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Alastair Clarkson speaks to his players during their clash with North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Clarkson said player fatigue meant teams will never be out of games, but at the same time warned of big blowouts.

“A five-goal lead nowadays going into the last quarter, whereas normally you might be able to work out a way to hold onto that lead, is going to be nothing now because the momentum could change very, very quickly,” he said.

“And if players are fatigued, trying to arrest that momentum might be really tough, so it’ll make it really interesting in terms of the scoring.

“You’re never going to be out of a game, but having said that if a team for whatever reason turns its toes up we could see blowouts with big margins.

“We have to watch it carefully.”

The Hawks will return to fire ravaged Victorian communities this week as part of final preparations for their Round 1 clash with the Bombers.

While the Hawks are unable to undertake community activity in the region due to the AFL’s COVID protocols, they will return to Buchan on Monday and Tuesday for an overnight training camp.

In an effort to shine a spotlight on the ongoing impacts of the bushfires, Clarkson is running and riding the 330km from Corryong to Buchan with the aim of meeting the group at their destination on Monday night.

YOUNG HAWK BAGS SIX TO SEAL ROUND 1 DEBUT

James Mottershead

Jacob Koschitzke and Tyler Brockman kicked their way into Hawthorn’s Round 1 side with nine goals between them in Hawthorn’s 39-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday.

There were so many fresh faces at Arden Street Oval that if they had to contact trace the players it would’ve taken days to work out who they were.

By his own admission, Alastair Clarkson knows Hawthorn are unlikely to be challenging for silverware this year.

His counterpart David Noble knows it’s a year for the Roos to refine their game plan as players adapt to new roles.

But both would’ve walked away from Arden St pleased with their start to 2021 thanks to their new recruits.

Clarkson said before the game exciting first-year forward Brockman was in the frame to face Essendon.

The 18-year-old wasted no time making sure Hawthorn fans knew his name, kicking three goals and outscoring North Melbourne himself in the first quarter.

With his first touch he took off down the Arden St Oval wing, taking two bounces as he covered 40 metres in no time, before delivering inside 50.

A strong contested mark, which led to one of his three goals, showcased his prodigious leap and ability to play small and tall.

He came from the ground in the second term with a corked calf, but returned in the second half with a limited impact.

2020 Hawthorn draftees Tyler Brockman, Connor Downie, Denver Grainger-Barras, Seamus Mitchell and Jack Saunders. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Is Tyler Brockman the Hawks’ latest draft steal? Picture: AFL Photos

If the first quarter belonged to Brockman, the second and third had Koschitzke’s stamp all over it.

The 20-year-old kicked two late second-term goals, before taking his tally to six for the day with another quick three in the third quarter.

The cousin of Justin shapes as the perfect replacement for Jack Gunston who’s set to miss the first month of the season following back surgery.

Much had been made of North captain Jack Ziebell’s move to defence during pre-season, but Noble was all smiles as his skipper notched a game-high 356 metres gained to halftime from 12 touches.

Jaidyn Stephenson played predominantly on the wing with bursts in the centre square.

Noble is trying to get the classy 22-year-old around the ball more than he was at Collingwood.

He was able to notch 25 disposals and kicked two points.

Dom Tyson has only played three games since arriving at Arden St in 2019 and sat out the entire 2020 season, but he showed he hasn’t lost his ability to find the footy, or the goals, and finished with 23-disposals and three goals.

Jacob Koschitzke enjoys one of his six majors.

Jacob Koschitzke was a constant threat in attack.

Ben Cunnington remains touch and go for Rd 1 according to coach David Noble.

Noble saw his side comprehensively beaten by Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon as they lined up without a host of experienced players.

Cunnington has missed both pre-season games with concussion and Noble said he’s no guarantee face Port Adelaide in a fortnight.

Trent Dumont will miss that clash, with Jared Polec also racing the clock, while Jed Anderson will play, Noble said.

Jaidyn Stephenson stepped into the midfield void left by the experienced quartet and finished with a team-high 27 disposals.

“He was really good, I think his work rate is starting to get up to the level that we want,” Noble said.

“It’s great getting him in the midfield, actual centre bounces, where he can use his speed and evasiveness.

Noble hinted they’d use the 2018 Rising Star winner forward too, and not necessarily out of the square.

Ben Cunnington remains touch and go for Round 1 as he battles concussion. Picture: Getty Images.

Dom Tyson looks like playing his first AFL game since Rd 3 2019 after kicking three goals and having 23 disposals.

Noble said he had been a fan of Tyson’s since he was drafted.

“I like what he can bring to our team, he’s got great hands and reads the ball really well in that stoppage,” he said.

“He can play a number of roles too. He can go halfback, wing or midfield, which helps with your rotations.

“I think he’s a strong chance for Rd 1, we’ve got a few to come back in, but he’s definitely put his best foot forward.”

Noble said he wouldn’t be afraid to play youth if they’re ready and would look at opposition before deciding on who he would pick.

“Our members and our fans today should be really excited about what they saw with Powell, Lazzaro, Spicer, Taylor, Thomas, Stevenson, Simpkin, I mean I could keep going,” he said.

“They looked like they’re here to stay for a long period of time.

“If they’re physically and mentally ready to go then they vie for a spot like anyone else.”

In a nutshell

NORTH MELBOURNE

David Noble has made it clear this season is about establishing a brand and game style, and it looks set to be a long year for North Melbourne fans.

The bright spots will come from kids like Tom Powell, who led the Roos for disposals in the first half with 15.

Josh Walker did his best to cement his spot as North’s second key forward behind Nick Larkey with three goals, while Luke Davies-Uniacke is ready for a career-best season.

HAWTHORN

Like North Melbourne, Hawthorn is in a rebuild phase.

But they might not finish as low as expected if their kids can be consistent.

Liam Shiels, Harry Morrison and Tom Phillips were brilliant for the Hawks, the latter more than easing the loss of wingman Isaac Smith.

The Hawks can’t bank on youngsters Koschitzke and Brockman carrying the scoring load come the season proper, so the likes of Conor Nash, who kicked two goals, will need to step up, especially in the absence of Gunston.

Selection puzzles

NORTH MELBOURNE

How many kids is too many for North?

That’s the question that confronts Noble ahead of Rd 1 as he looks to find the balance between growth and competitiveness.

Tom Powell looks a lock, while Will Phillips and Phoenix Spicer only played the last quarter.

With Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont, Jed Anderson and Aaron Hall all set to return in Rd 1 or early in the season, Noble needs to decide how youth and experience fit together.

HAWTHORN

Clarkson said before the game Brockman and Connor Downie were in the frame to make their debuts in Rd 1 against Essendon.

Both did their chances no harm, particularly Brockman, who brings forward pressure and a keen goal sense.

Koschitzke has to play against the Bombers after kicking six, which means Tim O’Brien might find himself on the outer.

Ones to watch

NORTH MELBOURNE

Jaidyn Stephenson said he wanted to make Collingwood pay for letting him go and wasted no time putting his best foot forward in the blue and white.

The 2018 Rising Star winner started the game in the middle and got the game’s first inside 50, and also rotated through the wing and full forward.

HAWTHORN

Changkuoth Jiath looked to have put on some serious muscle and his rebound will be vital for a Hawthorn defence that will find itself frequently under siege this season.

The 21-year-old looks to be a mainstay in the Hawthorn side.

Shaun Burgoyne enters his 20th AFL season and looks set to provide the likes of Jiath with guidance deep in defence, where he spent the majority of the game.