Robbo: Why Hawthorn’s decision to dump Alastair Clarkson for Sam Mitchell is ‘crazy’

A generational coach rarely becomes available and several clubs — and the AFL — will be thinking what-if. These are the clubs that should give him a call.

Jeff Kennett has put a timeline on coach Alastair Clarkson’s departure.

Who would’ve thought Hawthorn would sack Alastair Clarkson?

That’s what happened.

The Hawks chose not to renew Clarkson’s contract beyond 2022, which is the nice way of saying we no longer require your services, which is a nice way of saying you’re sacked.

It’s a bold decision by Jeff Kennett and his board.

Bold doesn’t make it either right nor wrong.

The Hawks have chosen untried senior coach Sam Mitchell, a club favourite, over the four-time winning premiership coach, a club icon.

It is ludicrous when you consider Hawthorn’s reason: they think Clarkson’s time has come.

That he has been there for 17 years already and the Hawks couldn’t contemplate Clarkson being there for another five to 10 years.

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Jeff Kennett has put a timeline on coach Alastair Clarkson’s departure.

The gut feel is that this is a crazy decision — the club has taken a leap with an unknown over a coach renowned for his achievements. But the Hawks — or Kennett — think otherwise.

This may be about Kennett getting his man amid the speculation that he and Clarkson didn’t see eye-to-eye on issues.

It’s always been said there has been tension between the pair.

But it might be more about Kennett getting his way.

Kennett has consistently spoken about used-by dates in key football positions and, with Mitchell at the club and obviously a target for rivals, the timing could not have been more perfect for a transition.

“Alastair has served us well in his time at Hawthorn, but we must put our emotions into second place and make the tough but right calls for our club’s future,’’ Kennett told members on Tuesday.

Jeff Kennett and Alastair Clarkson after a Hawthorn win. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Tough call, yes, but you can never assume it’s the right call.

Still, whatever you think of the decision, you have to concede Kennett has balls.

Clarkson has agreed to the decision, but time will tell if he has committed to the decision.

He has agreed to coach in 2022 with Mitchell as his understudy.

On the surface, it’s an honourable commitment from Clarkson.

But it’s impossible to believe Collingwood, for example, won’t make a multi-year offer to him to coach in 2021. At least make a phone call from whoever is in charge.

The Pies are looking for a coach and the assembled list of their preferred candidates now has a name firmly in first place.

It’s more than curious why Clarkson kicked off discussions about his future with Hawthorn in the days after Nathan Buckley departed the Pies.

Had discreet inquiries already been made from, say, presidential wannabe Jeff Browne or from the current board?

Clarko’s former premiership charge Sam Mitchell will take his head coaching role at Hawthorn. Picture: AAP

If not, someone representing the old or new Pies would be negligent not to call Clarkson’s manager James Henderson on Wednesday morning.

Ross Lyon said three weeks ago that if Clarkson were available, the search at Collingwood was over.

Indeed, Henderson’s mobile phone will be shuddering in his suit coat over the coming days.

Carlton is amid a review, which includes the position of coach David Teague.

The Blues would also be negligent if they did not make inquiries.

Put it this way, if you’re incoming president Luke Sayers and you have the consideration between Teague and Clarkson, who would you opt for?

After Tuesday’s news, Teague, as Clarkson did after the Buckley bombshell, would be in his right mind to go to the Blues board and ask for the lay of the land.

Teague might not like the answer.

Kennett and Clarkson have a long, intertwined history at Hawthorn.

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Of course, the Collingwood and Carlton roles for next year will only be affected if Clarkson abandons the succession plan.

He is a man of honour, Clarkson, but he is also human and the Hawks have told him he is not wanted.

If the Pies and Blues welcomed him with open arms and a vision and a fat cheque, then surely Clarkson would consider it.

Forget the money, it will be about 53-year-old Clarkson’s desire for a new frontier.

If Clarkson is committed to the Hawks’ plan, the Blues and Gold Coast could come into play at the end of 2022.

Teague is contracted for next year and that’s it, so the timing would work.

It would mean Teague would be coaching for his future next year, if he isn’t already this year.

The other club is Gold Coast.

Stuart Dew is in charge and, less than a week after recording his greatest victory, he will have to contend with the spectre of Clarkson hanging over him this year and next.

How the AFL would love to convince Clarkson to move to the Gold Coast, the league’s problem child.

A generational coach rarely becomes available and Collingwood, Carlton and the AFL will be thinking what-if. Surely Clarkson is thinking the same.

Originally published as Robbo: Why Hawthorn’s decision to dump Alastair Clarkson for Sam Mitchell is ‘crazy’