Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell celebrate Hawks 2013 premiership reunion with teammates
Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and his replacement Sam Mitchell came together for the Hawks’ 2013 premiership reunion, so were there fireworks or friendly chats?
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Hawthorn’s 2013 premiership players including former coach Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell celebrated their 10-year premiership reunion on a boat trip on Wednesday.
The Hawks premiership heroes attended an official function with fans on Tuesday night and followed-up with a more casual get-together on the water with a few drinks on Wednesday.
And there were no fireworks between Clarkson and the man who replaced him as Hawthorn’s coach, Mitchell, as the pair chatted happily among teammates and staff 10 years on from their 15-point Grand Final win over Fremantle.
The pair’s relationship was tested by the coaching handover at the end of 2021 while Clarkson directed a fiery broadside at his old club this year for its handling of the racism allegations dating back to 2008-2016.
Clarkson has denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by an AFL probe this year.
Mitchell also left Clarkson out of his Hall of Fame entry speech this year, which Mitchell said was not deliberate.
But there was no visible tension between the pair on Wednesday, according to onlookers, as Clarkson and Co. celebrated the first flag of their premiership three-peat.
Premiership superstars Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli did not attend.
Some of the Hawks premiership players and staff kicked-on at a party run by Connors Management at Bells Hotel in South Melbourne late into the night.
“It was great day, there were no dramas at all. Everyone enjoyed themselves,” a former Hawk said.
Clarkson coached wooden-spooner North Melbourne to three wins this year while Mitchell’s Hawks finished third-last with seven victories.
Originally published as Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell celebrate Hawks 2013 premiership reunion with teammates
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