Alastair Clarkson, Gillon McLachlan meeting dubbed ‘outrageous’ by Robert Walls

THE fractious relationship between Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire has been even further stretched by the Hawks coach’s secret meting with Gillon McLachlan, which has raised plenty of questions and eyebrows around the AFL.

Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

CARLTON premiership great Robert Walls has lambasted Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson for criticising Sydney’s on-field tactics while also labelling his meeting with the AFL chief executive as “outrageous”.

And Walls believes Gillon McLachlan’s willingness to meet with Clarkson in public at a cafe must also be questioned.

A war of words has erupted between Clarkson and Sydney coach John Longmire after the Hawthorn coach’s post-match “blue murder” remarks on Friday night.

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Speaking in his post-match press conference, Clarkson said he was frustrated at perceived injustices over blocking free kicks in his team’s attacking 50 during the eight-point loss to Sydney. The Hawks coach said the Swans were “very sophisticated with the way that they defend”, but also declared they got away with “blue murder” at times.

It led to Clarkson meeting with McLachlan at a Prahran cafe on Monday morning to follow up his concerns.

Walls, a three-time premiership player and one-time premiership coach with Carlton, said Clarkson was out of line.

“I was disappointed in Alastair Clarkson commenting about Sydney Swans tactics publicly. I thought that was wrong,” Walls told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight.

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Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: Michael Klein

“To organise a meeting with the CEO of the AFL in a public place — I can’t believe that he’s done that. I think it’s outrageous to be honest.”

Upon hearing of the Monday morning meeting, Longmire told Sydney-based reporters that the catch-up was “unnecessary and unwarranted”.

Walls said “some questions have to be asked” of Clarkson, including whether he had organised similar meetings with AFL officials in the past.

“Why Gill McLachlan? Why not football operations boss Steve Hocking? That would be the appropriate person to go and talk to. Maybe Steve Hocking said ‘get lost’ — maybe he did,” Walls said.

“The other question that has to be asked: Has Alastair Clarkson done this in the past? Don’t forget, the operations boss a couple of years ago was Mark Evans — a former employee of the Hawthorn Football Club.

“Maybe this is something that Alastair Clarkson has been doing over the years.

“I’m really disappointed in him.”

Asked if Longmire had every right to be angry with Clarkson, Walls said: “Absolutely he does. No doubt he does.”

Walls added that McLachlan’s decision to meet with Clarkson was a bad move.

“Gill McLachlan — what are you doing meeting in a public place with a senior coach? Would he have met with Alan Richardson? Would he have met with Brendon Bolton?” Walls asked.

Originally published as Alastair Clarkson, Gillon McLachlan meeting dubbed ‘outrageous’ by Robert Walls