Clarkson Wins Praise From Kennett
The Age
Friday April 4, 2008
WHILE careful not to prematurely speculate on the future of Alastair 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 was 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 expectations 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. ". . . 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."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," he said.
© 2008 The Age