Alastair Clarkson doesn’t deserve any action to be taken against him after some drunken spectator got in his face as he was leaving Adelaide Oval last night in the wake of the Hawks’ narrow loss to Port Adelaide.
Clarkson should have had security around him as he was making his way back with support staff to the hotel from the ground – or transport waiting for him outside the Hawthorn change rooms.
You would hope that would be a given from now on.
There’s also the issue of why those patrons seemed so drunk and action hadn’t been taken to remove them from the ground.
There are those in the media that have already taken and will take the moral high ground on this issue regarding Clarkson’s temper.
Media outlets have already mentioned past incidents like Clarkson putting his fist through the MCG coaches box, abusing an official at a junior football match, being rude towards a journalist in Launceston after a match and of course the old chestnut punching Carlton’s Ian Aitken behind the play when playing for North Melbourne the Oval exhibition match way back in 1987.
There’s enough evidence there of a reasonable wrap sheet, but all he did here was get someone who was way too close to his personal space.
There have been reports that Clarkson punched the spectator, who was right in his face. The footage, if it shows anything, shows he pushed the man away.
The individual in my opinion, with plenty of alcohol on board, was bordering on bullying. He was poking the bear and in the end Clarkson had had enough.
Again the moral high ground will be put forward that he has form and he can’t keep that renowned bad temper in check.
There’s the view taken that he’s a role model and he needs to lead the way, but that person and whoever was filming this exchange and if there was anyone else part of this should all be banned from the game for life.
If that person hadn’t consumed so much alcohol or had his mate or mates with him, would have he had the courage to approach an obviously annoyed Clarkson, whose team had just lost to Port Adelaide after being thrashed in the opening half?
I would think not. Bullies and bullying are too prevalent in our society and there are so many forms of it.
Schools and workplaces no matter how hard they try still battle to curb it and on Saturday night after a pulsating game you saw some guys thinking they would have some fun at the Hawthorn coach’s expense and that’s how teasing starts and then escalates into bullying.
The Hawks no doubt will speak to Clarkson behind closed doors about trying to stay in control, but I can understand why he did what he did and it’s been blown out of proportion.
As for those fans, we don’t need you. If you want to drink stay away from the footy and annoy each other, not head coaches of clubs.
The game and the action on the field are so good at the moment. Round 4 has been a cracker – too good to have to worry about the focus on a few fools.
The Original Buzz
Guest
I agree Brian, there was more than one person involved so there was a very real threat of it escalating quickly. I think Clarko did the right thing, the message just wasn't getting through to these Morons.
Rising Power
Guest
The guy is not even a Port supporter, he actually follows the Crows; but don't let facts get in the way of a good story.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Exactly - by far the worst thing out of this is that the yobbo has reportedly be paid $5000 for the footage. This encourages copy cats. While the degree of Clarkson's response can be debated - that the idiot had been warned off and continued - with his mates - to harass and perhaps intimidate Clarkson. What this does illustrate - along with the idiot trying to go Chris Judd in Lygon St - is how easily this can happen. And - just how stupid some people are. Given the alcohol/drugs around in society - if I were Clarkson then I'd probably draw a personal line too - the yobbo had been given 'enough rope' and in the end got something akin to what he deserved. Certainly had this fellow encroached upon a celebrity protected by security in such a way - I dare say the security would have come down harder, likewise police protecting foreign dignitaries. So - for me - go Clarko!!
Aransan
Guest
Well said BBJ but this is the way the media creates the news.
BBJ
Guest
A drunk hassling a celebrity and a violent reaction is all wrong. The protagonists filming it and the footage given air time all over the place seems to be encouraging this type of behaviour.
DJW
Guest
I really can't believe people are defending Clarkson. He was metres from his hotel, any normal person ignores it and walks into the hotel. I ask you this, what if the guy Clarkson clocks/pushed falls back and hits his head on the pavement? This is how people die or end up with brain injury. Its what all the one hit campaigns are about. For some reason because he is an AFL coach he gets special dispensation. Clarkson has serious anger problems and needs to get them addressed.
TomC
Roar Guru
This simplistic, poorly thought out article is inspiring a lot of simplistic, poorly thought out comments.
Powerbot
Guest
Oh yeah....that's right......Adelaide is just crawling with avenging Hawthorn fans seeking retribution for the dishonour of their coach.....let's also not forget those Hawthorn fans just revving their motors to cross the border and get into him as well.......Omerta LIVES in the heart of all Hawks fans!
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
There's probably every chance that in the "good ole days" some sort of summary justice would've been served. Whether it would've been as quaint and benign as the scenario you outline would be more down to chance and the temperament of the individuals involved.
Dmak
Guest
I love the attitude of some in the footy industry at the moment. Physically Assaulting someone who is annoying you is perfectly OK Say something that could be offensive about a player to one of your mates (even though the player never would hear it). it is an hanging offence. We are living in very strange times.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
C'mon. He didn't "defend himself", he got angry. You can tell he checked himself and probably really wanted to launch into the guy, but only shoved him pretty forcefully. You can't blame him for being extremely irritated by the guy and just wanting to get him out of his face, but by acting on that irritation the guy is still well and truly in his face now, isn't he?
Darryl
Guest
In the good old days the instigator would have got a kick up the butt from the police sergeant and then another from his dad when he got home. But in today's world a huge deal is made of it and then they wonder why more idiots go for their 5 minutes of fame. Clarko should not have walked to the hotel because he may have encouraged it? what a joke. Would the same people be saying that a girl wearing a very short miniskirt attracted the wrong attention and therefore deserves what may happen?
Sir Ossis
Guest
The Port drunk repeatedly got into Clarkson's face. Port supporters are like that. The drunkard deserved a clip and got one. Bravo. It will be a sad day when a man must let another spit in his face and not defend himself. I'm sure the law will decide Clarkson used reasonable force to protect his person, while not injuring the drunken hoon.
TomC
Roar Guru
Yeah, he probably surrounds himself with people who don't take the moral high ground enough.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
How did he run out of options?
Brian
Guest
of course it does. a blow to the temple can be fatal
Shaunh
Guest
Sorry Mr Lonergan but if you believe that Mr Clarkson shouldn't be held accountable for his actions, then you are out of step with today's society. The obnoxious male should be held accountable for his actions, but compared to striking someone and grabbing their throat, it pales into insignificance. Mr Clarkson has a right to be left in peace, but he should act with a bit more restraint then he has shown. You say Clarkson response is totally acceptable, but what if the man in question had fallen backward, hit his head on the pavement and sustained a more serious injury. I am sure you would not be saying the same thing.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Interested to see, and I doubt many will admit it, if Clarkson actually was female being harassed by the same group of targeting him what their thoughts would be. Same context though. Bet few would be against the actions of the coach. I don't blame Clarkson for his actions. You never want to have to hit someone, but he ran out of options truth be told. A cornered animal in the wild has instincts to fight back. This instinct is all too common in humans as well. Very few people can satay after ignoring the supporters for as long as Clarkson did, that once they got on his face, and in the path he was walking towards the hotel, that they would not have pushed him like Clarkson did.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
That's all very well, but I have my doubts about this zero learning too many valuable moral lessons from those he knows any time soon. Just a hunch. I hope I'm wrong.
AL
Guest
When some incident happens in afl, it doesnt really happen.