Clarkson to celebrate Kaniva’s 40th year premiership celebrations this weekend

Alastair Clarkson will return to his hometown to celebrate a moment which provided the launching pad for his career. Here’s how he will be involved.

Alastair Clarkson will be heading to his home town this weekend for a special celebration. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson will spend his AFL bye back in his hometown reliving the memories which provided the launching pad for his stellar career.

The four-time premiership coach is returning of Kaniva to celebrate the team’s 1985 premiership as the club holds its premiership reunion.

Clarkson, at just 17, kicked six goals as a half-forward as the Bulldogs beat Mundulla by 17 points in the Tatiara league decider.

The 1985 premiership winning Kaniva team. Alastair Clarkson, back row, far right, was part of it. Picture: Mark Stewart

In a dominant finals series, the then talented junior kicked 13 goals in three finals, including 11 in the preliminary and grand final.

It was a stepping stone to a successful AFL career which included 134 games as a player, for North and Melbourne, before his coaching stint which included four Hawthorn premierships.

For his home club there has been plenty of change with Kaniva merging with Leeor in 1996 to form Kaniva Leeor United.

The Cougars have also moved leagues — going from the Tatiara league to the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara competition in the 1990s before moving to its current home, the Horsham District league, in 2020.

Since 1985, the Bulldogs and Cougars have not tasted premiership success, which is why celebrating the 40th anniversary of one with Clarkson was important.

But it was a challenge to get the star back home.

“We put out expressions of interest out last year knowing it’s the 40th year reunion,” reunion organiser and Kaniva Leeor United treasurer Sharon Maddern said.

“We said that we would have to wait until the AFL draw was done to find a game where we had a home game and either North played on a Thursday night or some other day.

“When the draw came out, this was the obvious one when North had the bye, and that matched up.

“Alastair was keen to come if it could happen.”

Clarkson is not only on board but he’ll be an integral part of the weekend.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and Luke Hodge celebrate the 2014 premiership win. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

On Friday night, he’ll be part of a sportsman’s dinner, before heading to Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Saturday to celebrate the premiership reunion with his former teammates.

Of the 20 who played, 16 will be there.

“We’ve got 300 people coming on Friday night,” Maddern said.

“We’ve got two co-captains in our A-grade who will ask questions and Alastair will hopefully talk away. We’re very grateful for Alastair to give up his time.

“We would have had it anyway but he’s made it work so he can be here. He’s also taking a training run on Friday night.

“The juniors are looking forward to it.”

Maddern said the weekend was a major boost to a small town suffering through drought and the impending emergency services levy.

“The club are excited to have those people back in the town,” she said.

“With declining numbers it’s just great to see everyone around. We have a great history and great facilities at the moment.

“It (the footy club) is an integral part of the small town.”

The event on Friday night starts at 6pm.