AFL: Essendon coach Ben Rutten insists the speculation linking Alastair Clarkson to the Bombers is not a distraction
Ben Rutten has steered Essendon to two much-needed wins in the past three weeks and remains focused on the job despite mounting Alastair Clarkson speculation.
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The spectre of Alastair Clarkson’s impending return to the AFL – potentially at Essendon – is not distracting Ben Rutten in the slightest, the Bombers coach says.
Clarkson is considered certain to be back coaching again next season but the only job vacancy so far is at the Giants, where Leon Cameron departed in May.
St Kilda has also re-signed Brett Ratten, leaving one fewer landing point for the four-time premiership coach.
Clarkson has spoken with Greater Western Sydney powerbrokers, while David Noble, who is coaching one of his former clubs, North Melbourne, continues to feel the heat from the Roos’ one-win season.
Essendon has steadied the ship somewhat with wins over finals aspirants Sydney and St Kilda in the past three weeks but still sits in the bottom four with a 4-11 record after qualifying for September last year.
Bombers great Matthew Lloyd said in recent weeks that Rutten should be “under pressure” and suggested Clarkson could be the saviour.
“It’s not distracting at all, for me,” Rutten, who is contracted until the end of next season, said of the Clarkson speculation.
“I’m really clear on my job, where we’re at as a club, the progress we’re making and the plan we’ve got in place about us building to a successful club.
“That’s where I’m spending my time and focus.”
A healthier list has helped Essendon be more competitive in recent weeks as it prepares to also welcome back No.1 draft pick Andy McGrath from an adductor strain against Covid-ravaged Brisbane on Sunday.
But the Bombers suffered some bad news of their own, with prime mover Darcy Parish ruled out for a month with a calf strain unrelated to the cork that hampered him previously.
The Lions have lost Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich and Jarrod Berry (all hamstring) and Jaxon Prior (quad), as well as Daniel McStay, Callum Ah Chee, Keidean Coleman and Harris Andrews, who have entered Covid protocols.
“We faced a similar thing against Hawthorn earlier in the year, when we had five or six late changes,” Rutten said.
“I think most clubs are going to go through something similar this year, but, for us, it was an opportunity to generate some energy and spirit around that game and we performed reasonably well.
“So we’re expecting Brisbane at their best. They’re going to be bringing players in who are in good form – they’re AFL players – and they’re going to be desperate to hold their spot.
“We won’t be taking them lightly by any stretch.”
The Lions are unbeaten in seven matches at the Gabba this season and have won 16 of their past 17 games there, with the sole blemish last year’s one-point semi-final loss to Western Bulldogs.
The Bombers haven’t won at the Queensland venue since 2018, including losing their past four contests there against four different opponents.
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Originally published as AFL: Essendon coach Ben Rutten insists the speculation linking Alastair Clarkson to the Bombers is not a distraction
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