Clarkson Wins Kennett Praise
The Age
Friday April 4, 2008
WHILE careful not to prematurely speculate on the future of Alistair Clarkson beyond this year, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has praised the club's senior coach, saying he is working "wonderfully well" and that Clarkson's contract discussion will "take care of itself".
Kennett said he could not remember a time when the club had functioned as well as it had now - and this included the football department and Clarkson, who is the only coach out of contract at the end of 2008.Kennett, who has high expectation for Hawthorn this year and has suggested the Hawks can win the premiership, said the Clarkson contract issue would "take care of itself in the most obvious way at the appropriate time".He said the club was not at all concerned about Clarkson's position and was focusing only on the more immediate matters of this season."That will take care of itself," said Kennett last night, when asked how the club would handle Clarkson's future."I can't remember a time when all sections of the club are working so wonderfully together."And that certainly includes Alistair and his coaching department, whether it's Chris Pelchen, Mark Evans and I can't tell you how supportive and respectful we are of Alistair and what he had has done and what he continues to do and his genuine interest in his responsibilities. "Now, having said that, all I can say to you is he was appointed a year and a bit ago, for a two-year contract. That contract runs out at the end of the year. "It's not something any of us are worrying about or focused on at the moment. All elements are just working towards achieving our goal which is winning the 10th premiership."At the moment we're only focused on one thing - getting our players on the field, looking after their welfare and making sure that they perform to the best of their ability. "Everything else is secondary to that, and, as I said, issues like the one you've raised will take care (of) itself in the most obvious way at the appropriate time."Kennett said Hawthorn was "now in the zone" in which premierships could be won, and he believed the Hawks should aim to win the flag every year while it was in this contending phase."My attitude to football is very much the same as my attitude to life, you've got to take every opportunity as it presents. Therefore we should be focused on doing our very best this year. And if we're in the zone, you shouldn't be satisfied with one premiership over five years, you should be aiming for five premierships over five years. You can't be half pregnant in this business, you go for it seriously, and that's what we're doing and whether we're good enough or not, time will tell."
© 2008 The Age