AFL 2023: Alastair Clarkson criticises Sam Mitchell’s Grand Final performances to youngsters

Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson’s feud with the Hawks is growing tenser, with the Hawthorn legend criticising Sam Mitchell while addressing the future stars of the AFL.

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 01: Alastair Clarkson Head Coach of the Hawks and Sam Mitchell, Head of Development of the Hawks are seen during the round 19 AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Brisbane Lions at University of Tasmania Stadium on August 01, 2021 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has indirectly continued his war of words with Hawthorn, criticising Sam Mitchell’s performances in grand finals in an address to the league’s top draft prospects.

Clarkson spoke with the AFL’s Academy members on Thursday afternoon about working on the fundamentals of the game and team ethos ahead of an Academy match on Saturday.

But it was his negative critique of Mitchell’s performances in his first few grand finals which raised eyebrows following a complete breakdown in the relationship between Clarkson and Hawthorn over the past 18 months.

The Herald Sun understands Clarkson spoke about Mitchell’s early grand final record as part of a broader address to the talented youngsters about the need to continually try and improve their games.

Mitchell, who enjoyed a sparkling playing career winning four premierships, five best-and-fairests, three All-Australians and a Brownlow Medal in 2012, played in five grand finals under Clarkson.

Alastair Clarkson’s war of words with the Hawks has continued. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

In those premiership deciders Mitchell had 13 disposals (2008), 24 disposals (2012), 12 disposals (2013), 33 disposals (2014) and 34 disposals (2015).

It’s understood Clarkson, who was speaking to a group of top underage players and coaching staff, said Mitchell failed to fire in a couple of Hawthorn’s most important matches in their glorious premiership reign, before bouncing back later in his career.

It is not the first time Clarkson has questioned Mitchell’s performances in big games as Mitchell revealed in his biography ‘Relentless’ Clarkson sent him a pointed message about the issue at the end of 2011.

“(Two days after Mitchell had 19 disposals in the 2011 qualifying final against Geelong) ‘Clarko’ sent me a text message, expressing his feelings,” Mitchell said in the book.

“It has something along the lines of ‘When was the last time you played well in a final?”

“I was holding a screaming child at the time and Lyndall (Mitchell’s wife) was holding the other.

“Smith (their son) was crawling on the floor and I was getting this message. It didn’t seem fair.”

Mitchell was quiet in the 2008 grand final win against Geelong, and in the 2012 Grand Final loss to Sydney Swans gave away a crucial 50m penalty in the third term after failing to give the ball back to Jarrad McVeigh.

Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell lift the 2008 premiership cup.

Mitchell said on Fox Footy his fitness coach’s young son said a day after the 2012 grand final “you cost us the game” which Mitchell said four years later “still stings me”.

The Clarkson criticism of Mitchell came on the same day the coach savaged the Hawks on Thursday at Arden St, saying the club he coached to four premierships should be investigated for its “shameful” handling of its racism investigation, which has since been taken over by the AFL and an independent panel.

“Let’s do an investigation on them and their practices and see how they go,” Clarkson said of the Hawks.

Mitchell, who had a sparkling playing career under Clarkson, replaced him as coach in controversial circumstances in 2021 with one year remaining on Clarkson’s contract.

Mitchell has kept out of the slanging match as he attempts to help guide his young Hawks up the ladder with one win (over Clarkson’s Kangaroos) from the first nine matches.

Hawthorn is last on the ladder, below North Melbourne in 16th with two wins.

Hawthorn and North Melbourne will pick from the country’s best young players in this year’s draft.

Clarkson is not expected to attend Hawthorn’s 2013 premiership reunion later this year.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Alastair Clarkson criticises Sam Mitchell’s Grand Final performances to youngsters