Ando’s Shout: 10 clubs have asked about Alastair Clarkson for 2022, Blues shake-up set to extend beyond coaching ranks

Evidently Alastair Clarkson is not in Jeff Kennett’s plans for the future, though for 10 other clubs the coaching mastermind certainly is. Here’s the latest.

While he may have fallen out of favour with Jeff Kennett, Alastair Clarkson’s AFL stocks remain very much in the “BUY” category, to borrow some stock market parlance.

Since his services became potentially available, Clarkson has been the subject of interest from no fewer than 10 of the 17 rival clubs.

Not all of those inquiries were about a senior coaching role, some being as a mentor, others as a director of football.

Clarkson’s 2022 intentions remain unknown, although his name has, naturally enough, been linked with Carlton. He has privately stated he still has the fire in the belly to coach and wants to win more premierships. On the other hand, he also has a desire to spend further time studying in the US, observing and learning from sport at the highest level.

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What will Alastair Clarkson do next year? Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos

Clarkson, 53, holds a Master of Business Administration from Monash University and is a Bachelor of Sports Science.

In 2014, he spent two weeks at Harvard University in Boston where he excelled in a leadership and management course.

Should he decide not to coach in 2022, the Blues have three further options: Ross Lyon, Don Pyke or remain with David Teague.

Lyon, who has been one point, 13 points and 16 points from winning an AFL premiership in three separate grand finals, is said to be the slight favourite should he want to coach, although retaining Teague is not out of the question.

The shake-up at Carlton will extend beyond coaching ranks, with emphasis also placed firmly on the football department, with leadership and culture a focus.

Geoff Walsh, the highly-respected former Collingwood and North Melbourne administrator, has strong admirers on the Carlton board having also been part of a three-person group that conducted a wide-ranging review at the Blues.

Walsh, 64, who spent time at Carlton in the early part of his administrative year, may not want to throw himself back into the furnace after a storeyed career.

Blues CEO Cain Liddle is expected to survive the purge given positive off-field results, despite the club’s lack of on-field success, although there will be clear guidelines on the crossover towards football matters.

Aussie angst in Tokyo

While the Tokyo experience was a glowing one for most Australian Olympians, some angst emerged from one venue that involved water without swimming.

It centred on Australia’s head coach in that chosen sport going straight to a rival crew after it was a surprise winner in its category, and sadly ignoring the Australians who had performed well below their expectations.

Davey twins Alwyn Jnr and Jayden, pictured with Jobe Watson.

Davey twins star as Xavier win flag

An unbeaten six-game season, and the interruption of Covid, has seen Xavier College crowned APS football premiers for the first time since 2003.

The Claret and Stout beat the previously unbeaten Scotch last weekend by six points in a corker of a game, while yesterday’s cancellation meant they didn’t play Caulfield (one loss to Scotch).

Spectators and recruiters were strictly banned from the Scotch-Xavier game (including video) but one wise judge present said Alwyn Davey’s Year 11 twins Jayden and Alwyn were typically brilliant, while Gavin Wanganeen’s son Tex (Year 12) also impressed after returning from injury. Wanganeen is eligible under father/son to both Adelaide and Essendon.

VAFA revamp

The VAFA is considering a two-week finals series for its male competition should Covid lockdowns ease.

Under that system, the first week would see 1 v 4 and 2 v 3, with the respective winners to advance to a grand final, with potentially only one team promoted and one relegated per division.

Could Geelong’s new stand be named after Brian Cook and Frank Costa?

Who has higher standing at Cats?

Geelong has no immediate plans to name its new stand, as part of the Stage 5 development that demolished the Gary Ablett Terrace and Ford Stand.

In recent times, generic and, somewhat boring, titles such as the Premiership Stand and Players Stand have replaced Doug Wade, A.R. (Jack) Jennings and Ross Drew with only the great Reg Hickey retaining such an honour.

Given the name of Gary Ablett has now been lost, that would seem a natural to receive appropriate recognition given almost 30 years of enjoyment from father and son at Kardinia Park.

Or could Brian Cook and Frank Costa be rewarded with a Cook-Costa Stand to acknowledge the pivotal role they played in the ground’s redevelopment and modern era of success?

HOT

PADDY MILLS

His post-match speech should become mandatory at all schools.

LEON CAMERON

Given GWS’s injury list, could anyone have coached better?

NOT

NELLY KORDA

Any danger this poker-faced talent could actually smile on a golf course?

RACISM

No more excuses, so it’s time for penalties to be ramped up.

Originally published as Ando’s Shout: 10 clubs have asked about Alastair Clarkson for 2022, Blues shake-up set to extend beyond coaching ranks