‘Causes carnage’: Calls for Alastair Clarkson to be stood down

Footy greats have called for Alastair Clarkson to be stood down with an ugly detail emerging about the offensive slur used.

Alastair Clarkson let rip at Hawthorn.

Essendon’s Matthew Lloyd has joined the list of footy greats calling for Alastair Clarkson to be suspended.

The North Melbourne coach is yet to learn his fate after he was issued a please explain by the AFL on Monday after an incident during his team’s pre-season clash with St Kilda.

Clarkson allegedly used an ugly slur during a confrontation with St Kilda players on Sunday.

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Clarkson is reported to have become involved in a quarter-time verbal stoush with St Kilda players after Kangaroos star Jy Simpkin was knocked out following a sickening collision with Jimmy Webster.

Webster was handed a seven-week ban over the ugly bump.

Clarkson’s angry outburst reportedly started when he approached Webster during the break and told the Saint to prepare for a long suspension.

According to the report, St Kilda’s Dougall Howard responded to Clarkson’s comment before the premiership-winning coach exchanged words with several St Kilda players.

Clarkson is reported to have used the term “c***sucker” as an offensive slur.

Clarkson this week apologised for his outburst.

However, there are renewed calls for Clarkson to be suspended as a result of his pattern of behaviour around ugly outbursts.

According to reports, the AFL is preparing to hand down a $25,000 fine and a two-week suspended ban.

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd wants Clarkson to spend time away from the coach’s box on game day.

It was not a good look. Picture: Channel 9

“It’s got to be more than just a fine in my opinion,” Lloyd said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“As I said, he can’t help himself. It’s one of his greatest strengths — his passion and loyalty for his players — but it’s also a weakness how emotional he gets.

“How violent, angry he can get in certain situations.

“I think it will be another fine, but I’m one of those that thinks it needs to be stronger.”

Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel, however, said Clarkson’s actions will help build a closer bond with his players and said it makes it easier for Clarkson to sell the idea of “We stand for something, I’m here for you boys”.

Leading AFL reporter Damian Barrett has also called for Clarkson to be banned.

“He’s a 56-year-old who has a history of such matters and he constantly apologises and moves on and causes carnage behind him,” Barrett said on Wednesday night.

Barrett went on to say: “He is so close to turning 56 years of age. At what stage and stage of life do you need to have someone stop holding your hand?

“I hear what you are saying Jimmy, and I can understand what you are saying. This is an all of club thing at the moment right now. (Chairwoman) Sonya Hood and

other people at North Melbourne have covered for him.”

Alastair Clarkson let rip at Hawthorn.

It comes after Rodney Eade also said a small fine won’t send a big enough message for Clarkson to improve his behaviour.

“I think it’ll be a fine. I think with the way society is, that’s not an acceptable word to be honest,” Eade on the Footyology podcast.

“We talk about racism, and it’s how people perceive it, and they’re aggrieved by it, well people will be offended by [Clarkson’s slur].

“I think as a coach and a statesman of the game you’ve got to be mindful of that as well.

“I know it’s the emotion of the game, et cetera, but we’re not excusing players in the emotion of the game if they make mistakes and they might be suspended.”

The ban handed to Webster is the longest since Andrew Gaff’s eight-week suspension in 2018 for striking Andrew Brayshaw.

St Kilda confirmed it wouldn’t appeal the decision.

“Jimmy’s actions were clearly inappropriate and are not reflective of the way we want to play, nor the modern game as a whole,” Saints footy boss David Misson said after the hearing.

“We continue to send Jy our best wishes as he undertakes his recovery, but our focus now is supporting Jimmy through this period.”

Webster again apologised to Simpkin after the hearing as well.

“I went into the hearing completely open to accepting whatever consequence the Tribunal delivered,” Webster said.

“I wish to reiterate my remorse and again apologise to Jy for my actions.

“I will take this time on the sidelines to reflect on my actions and work hard to keep it out of my game.”

Originally published as ‘Causes carnage’: Calls for Alastair Clarkson to be stood down