Alastair Clarkson will continue speaking out on ducking despite Paul Puopolo free kicks

ALASTAIR Clarkson was last week critical of players ducking to earn free kicks. But what did he think when Hawk agitator Paul Puopolo appeared to use the tactic against Richmond at the MCG?

Paul Puopolo remonstrates with Alex Rance. Pic: Getty Images

ALASTAIR Clarkson says he will continue to speak out about issues like players ducking as Paul Puopolo’s tactics took centre stage at the MCG.

Clarkson made clear last week players should not be rewarded for ducking and shrugging, insisting he also had players in his own side that used the tactic.

The Hawks kicked five of the last six goals on Sunday to lose by just 13 points, but as they surged Puopolo goaled from a free kick after dropping his knees against Toby Nankervis.

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It was his second free kick of the day for a high tackle, with Richmond’s players remonstrating with him fiercely in the aftermath.

Senior coach and good mate Chris Scott took umbrage with Clarkson’s assessment of Joel Selwood’s number of concussions on Saturday.

Tiger Dylan Grimes wasn’t happy with Paul Puopolo after the Hawk received a free kick for a high tackle. Pic: Getty Images

But Clarkson, the most experienced and successful coach in the game, said he wouldn’t shy away from raising issues that concern player safety.

“I think all coaches, we have got an obligation to the game as well as our own club. My comments were around the head-high stuff but could just as easily have been around correct disposal of the ball too. It brings more and more bodies in and causes more concussions and more heads clashing and split eyes.

“If the ball players in that capacity contributes to the high contact it should be play on.

“It’s an evasion tactic, without a doubt. And in a lot of instances particularly with Poppy, it’s not so much to draw the free kick, many times he’s in space doing it.

The umpire pays the free kick but it’s more of an evasive tactic.”

Asked if he was looking forward to a phone call with Scott, he said he wasn’t fighting the Cats senior coach.

“I will speak to Scotty when we run into each other. It’s not directed at Geelong.

“It’s not a fight, you don’t expect everyone should agree with me. But it’s worth putting these things up for debate.”

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson: “It’s not a fight.” Pic: AAP

Puopolo is a master of earning free kicks for too high. Pic: Getty Images

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was unwilling to discuss the ducking controversy but said knee drops and shrugs made umpiring tough.

“I would rather not buy into it. We have played who do it and Clarko summed it up.

“It just puts the umpires in a really tough position but I am not too sure what the answer is.”

Asked if the Hawks had any injuries post-match Clarkson replied, “Just a bruised ego”.

“We are just not quite there yet but we will keep toiling away.

“When the whips were cracking early Richmond were the better side.

“We were really excited with the opportunity, we thought it was a chance to measure ourselves against last year’s best side.

“And we fell a little short, but we were really pleased we ran the game out. It should give us a bit of hope.”

Hawthorn runs into in-form Melbourne and their star ruckman Max Gawn last week, hoping to stay ahead of the win-loss ledger.

Clarkson said when his side was 33 points down they could have slumped to a 10-goal loss and instead wanted to fight.

“We turned it into a two-goal loss which is a pleasing aspect of the game today.”