AFL supporters on social media are giving the AFL a bad reputation as much as the Alastair Clarkson footage itself.
The amount of comments supporting Clarkson for his actions is horrendous. There is no doubt that either party were in the wrong. However, unfortunately comments on social media posts about the massive story are way out of line.
We, as an AFL loving community, need to take a long hard look at ourselves if there are comments along the lines of “Clarkson should’ve hit him harder.” And “the bloke got what he deserved.”
If someone was provoked a street over outside a club along Hindley? Does that give that person a right to hit someone in the throat?
What Clarkson did is unacceptable along with the actions of the fans that pestered him. AFL coaches are an important asset to our game and deserve the upmost respect.
The situation was extremely avoidable.
In hindsight obviously Clarkson should have taken a vehicle back to his hotel. Clarkson rightfully walked over the footbridge once the crowd has cleared as you would hope Australians are smart enough to give the guy some personal space.
Hawthorn officials also would have been well aware of the risks walking across the footbridge back to the hotel as they have walked the same path in previous trips to Adelaide.
Another question raised from the altercation is: where was hotel security? If Clarkson was about to walk into his hotel there should have been security able to step in and smooth things out.
I cannot think of an instance where I have walked into a hotel especially on a weekend and not seen as least one security guard on patrol in the lobby.
Clarkson’s actions were extreme. Violence is not the answer to any action of provocation, in fact for those busy bees on social media advocating Clarkson’s actions, assault is illegal.
A person who commits assault and is found guilty for a basic offence in South Australia can face a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.
Clarkson may have not made a blow to the head but it was awfully close. ‘King hits’ better known as ‘coward punches’ are all too common in Australia. Such charities like the Sammy D Foundation have been founded due to the acts of cowards, and violent images of a high profiled AFL coach do not help the cause.
The man who antagonised and then played the victim needs to take a long hard long look in the mirror too. He got what he was looking for, his fifteen seconds of fame saying once he’d been hit, “got that on film brother.” then sends the footage to countless media outlets.
Alcohol once again reared its ugly head.
Clarkson claims he turned down the group’s request for photographs three times and then felt threatened, fearing for his safety as they made their way to the hotel.
No person should be put in a situation where they are worrying about their own safety but Clarkson did have alternative actions instead of pushing the perpetrator in the throat.
Confidence should be with the AFL, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide to take the right course of action respectively.
The actions and attitude of AFL fans on social media has to change otherwise the sport will look like a game for barbarians and bogans.
Brandon
Guest
A very levelheaded and impartial analysis of the event. Looking forward to reading your future articles Ben. Brandon
Lroy
Guest
dude, with respect, Clarckson didnt punch anybody, it was clearly a push. To turn it around, why havent the police charged the idiot harassing Clarkson with being drunk and disorderly??
Kev
Guest
Right. Because you sitting in the comfort of your office chair are in the best position to tell Clarkson how he should have reacted. Another one who keeps making excuses for the drunken lout. You're just as bad as that flog.
Don
Guest
Great read!
DJW
Guest
After Clarkson struck out, if the guy had fallen back and smashed his head, I dare say no one would be defending Clarkson. Because that situation is exactly how it happens. The whole message from the one punch campaign is to walk away, one punch kills. It seems this message isn't getting through to a lot of people or doesn't apply if your an AFL coach. The fact so that so many people think it was an appropriate response is really disappointing.
rossco
Guest
The worst post in this story. Clarkson "not in danger"? He said he was and he knows better than you. "King hit"? Joking aren't you? Stupid, stupid comment. Do you know assault is what this guy was doing? Try it on a policeman in the street and see what charge you face - assault.
Debra Coates
Guest
This whole insident has been given too much glory. I condone the guy who harrassed Mr Clarkson and feel he should be fined or have some action taken against him. I thought the outcome has blown right out of proportion by those on social media and even media. To me this could have been a dangerous confrontation for Mr Clarkson as we all know that the king hit on people is mostly by those with too much alcohol in their systems.. Where has the good manners and politeness gone when we are in the presence of someone who is in the sporting field, music industry etc show respect and give them some personal space dont get in their faces.
adrian drumma
Roar Rookie
Sorry folks but had this incident occurred inside or outside a club or bar the police would be charging him for assault. Just because someone gets up into your face it does not constitute the right to assault... very obvious Clarkson was not in danger and was almost at his hotel so more restraint on his part was required. As it was he attempted a King Hit or as we now call them "Coward Punch" and when that failed he grabbed the fellow by the neck. Now note the supporter did not at any time before or after attempt to hit Clarkson even after being assaulted. What was the excuse? Because he was a happy and intoxicated (very hard to say how much from the footage) stirrer. Australia is built on the image of the 'Stirrer" right back to Dad n Dave and Chips Rafferty and Co. I suspect that much of this howling and baying is being done by mostly Hawk and the Fruit Tingles (Cows) supporters. I hope Clarkson is hauled up and made to account for his "Brain Snap" moment just as anyone else would be... He's a football coach not some Demi-God.
Homer
Guest
What would any of U limpwristed turkeys have done if you were in Clarkson's place?? Looks like the Port supported got what he really wanted out of it, only maybe a bit more than he planned on getting.
Justin
Guest
I completely agreed on the article, which had a particular focus on the ridiculous social media comments. Of course the fan was an obnoxious fool and AFL/ authorities need to deal with that and unfortunately security. At the start of the clip he was pushing the guy away, which was very reasonable, I felt as soon as he went for the throat it showed he lost control. We have a societal problem of violence, the one punch kills camapign focuses on that and whilst alcohol is very much at the heart of that problem, we (men) need to learn to control ourselves even in the face of the most obnoxious people.
MFairPlay
Roar Guru
I did see this error while I was drafting the article, I forgot to go back and change it. I really appreciate your constructive criticism...
peter
Guest
Hey Ben, it would seem that you were outside playing softball when you should have been in English classes. "..no doubt that either party were in the wrong.."??!! What the hell is that ??!! As for your thoughts about Clarkson and what he should have done, I put it to you that , had you been in his situation, you may well have just kept walking.Because I doubt very much whether you would have the guts to tell the bloke to bugger off, or give him a very small dose of what he might get if he didnt. Clarko gets 10/10 from me for trying very hard initially to ignore this power peanut, but when that failed, for giving him a bit of a whack. Noone got hurt, and if this guy had just one ounce of cred, he would have put up his hand, admitted that he was pissed and acting like a tool, and apologize to everyone.
cotts
Roar Rookie
"There is no doubt that either party were in the wrong"? What are you trying to say Ben? Your grasp of English appears to be on a par with your understanding of Assault.
Paul W
Guest
And now the police !!!
Kev
Guest
"No person should be put in a situation where they are worrying about their own safety but Clarkson did have alternative actions instead of pushing the perpetrator in the throat." - Great Ben, so since you have appointed yourself as an expert on dealing with drunken yobbos, what he should have done Ben? Politely ask him to stop? Didn't work. Sternly ask him to stop? Didn't work either. Ignore him? Didn't work either. If Clarkson had have pushed him before doing any of that then yes that's an overreaction but he didn't.
Ray
Guest
OK. Just saying here but am happy to go on record. If ANYONE decides that the actions of the "fan" are "appropriate" then please be on notice that should you think that it would be appropriate to behave in that manner towards MYSELF, my family or friends then you would wish Clarko was there to give you a simple shove to the throat. Simply, assault is not only the physical touching but also the "engendering" of fear that you may be assaulted. In this case that fear was engendered which allows Clarkson, should there be any charges laid, to rely on a defence of Self Defence. Simply, if the tools that perpetrated the offence had of had one sensible thought remaining in their heads they would A, not have attempted to provoke, and continue to provoke, ANYONE and B, "if" they were so innocent why were they recording. One can only assume they were going to continue that course of action until they had an "outcome" that suited their "means". No reasonable person advocates the use of violence in reasonable circumstances given reasonable persons behaving in a reasonable manner; however, it’s quite clear that the perpetrators were NOT acting in a reasonable manner.
Kev
Guest
No what's pathetic is that you expected Clarkson to maintain his cool while he was being goaded and baited the entire time. This video conveniently shows what happened at the end but not the entirety of it. "He was pushing the guy away at the start of the video, if he felt he needed to do something then he could have continued with that." Right, so in your sanctimonious view, if he had have done more at the start he would be in the clear but because he reacted at the end he isn't? What a load of crap. Your attitude is everything that is wrong these days. The actions of the drunken tool are conveniently ignored by you and in your entire post, you've done nothing but tear apart what Clarkson should or shouldn't have done. To be truly strong, you don't have to drink yourself into oblivion like this idiot.
Wasim Ranamadroota
Roar Pro
Spot on Rossco. Don't follow AFL so don't know much about Clarkson, but he tried real hard to avoid the confrontation. Real brave of a bunch of drunk guys to repeatedly get in his face like that, then cry like babies to the media when he lashes out.
AR
Guest
The video didn't capture the full incident. These pissed yobbos were harrassing Clarkson for about 40m. He ignored them - then continued ignoring them - and then when they got right into his face and shouted in his ear, he lashed out to protect himself. Let me say, I am firmly in the camp of Clarkson here. When you're an adult, even if you're a pissed yobbo, your actions have consequences.
rossco
Guest
Ok, Ben Mitchell: what would you have done had Clarkson been you? Politely turn down the drunken request and move on? Clarkson did that. Then when he continued the harassment what would you do? Push him away? Clarkson did that. And now you want him to be the responsible one for this incident.? Tell us what you would do in that situation please.