A poetic salute to Alastair Clarkson

WhereisGene, remember that Clarko was absent from coaching for 5 weeks in 2014 with his illness and Brendan Bolton stepped in during that time. Longmire beat Clarko to that award by 1 vote only. Had Clarko been on deck for the full season, he may well have won.

Michael whilst you are correct that as soon as the game started there was little the coaches could really do to impact that game. But it is what Clarko did prior to the grand final, his plan, direction and so on from the pre season that laid the foundation for them to do as they did in that game.

Well you missed my point. I think Clarkson is undoubtedly the best coach in the comp and I'd also say he's tied with Leigh Matthews for coach of the century thus far. But I was simply pointing out the perfectly legitimate reasons Longmire won his two awards. And if you genuinely believed the coaches had an ounce of impact on that grand final last year, I see this is definitely not worth my time.

I am a Blues fan and have huge respect for Clarko. One of the greatest coaches of all time in my book.

Michael, Sydney had the easiest draw of any top side I've seen in years in 2014. Not to take anything away from the coach and team, but they were gifted a comparatively easy run, not to mention some advantages (10%) that other teams did not receive. He's reinvented the game from "Clarko's Cluster" in 2008 (other sides were onto that from 2009), to the open transitional style that won them B2B despite hardly being rated a chance last year. Can he make it 4 appearances in a row and have a crack at an elusive 3Peat? He is the mastermind of the game, Horse has been shown up when it counts, but Clarko will take the Jock McHale medal every time.

Glad your excellent football ballads are getting a run on this forum, have always enjoyed them on the other one. Publish them in a book please!

"but his 13/14 flags were simply the products of being the coach of a team full of brilliant players." Can't agree with that one bit. Clarkson has shown a peerless ability to invent fresh game plans and styles...and...coach the team execute them perfectly. This is the coaching distilled. Having an idea - getting the players to execute it. Both men a re good coaches, but the 2014 Grand Final showed the chasm between Clarkson and Longmire.

As "Coach of the Year" of 2014, how do you rate Longmire's grand final performance Michael? You claim Clarkson's 13 & 14 flags were the product of "brilliant players" only, yet neglect to mention Sydney's winning steak & minor premiership last year was largely the result of the kindest injury run of any team in the competition. I'm not doubting Longmire is a good coach, only secure in my knowledge that the vast majority of neutral supporters who aren't blinkered Swans fans rate Clarkson far higher. Probably because he secured multiple premierships for his club after overseeing a full rebuild himself (Longmire had Roos do the heavy lifting for him) and didn't benefit from a salary cap 10% larger than his opposition.

Sydney were equally as good as Hawthorn in 2012, and better than in 2014. It's that simple. I know Hawks fans like to think of 2012 as the year that got away, but the Swans were on top of the ladder for a large amount of the season too, and only fell away in the last few rounds. And you also need to appreciate what Longmire did as well. He changed our entire game from the Paul Roos era, and delivered a flag in a matter of two years. With no top five draft picks in our side. It was considerably different from Clarko, who had a similar team to the 08 side that had already won a flag but fell away between 09 and 11 for varying reasons. And in 2014, we were the best team all year. The Hawks deserved their flag considering their battles with injuries, but we were the more consistent side all year that played better footy. Through no fault of Hawthorns, but still. I think Clarkson should be praised more for his brilliant work in getting the Hawks to their best, as opposed to his coaching in the years they won it. His progress with the Hawks around 06/07/08 was astonishing stuff, but his 13/14 flags were simply the products of being the coach of a team full of brilliant players.

I'm a WC fan that has huge respect for what Clarko has achieved at the Hawks. He's got a great attitude and he has put an amazing program in place. I'm really glad Simmo spent time with Clarko before joining WC, he's doing a terrific job at WC. You've got a talent for poetry Bronwyn, well done!

What's hilarious is that Clarkson is yet to win the AFL's coach of the year award 2012 they gave it to Longmire despite Hawks winning the minor premiership (award is given prior to the GF) 2013 was Hinkley, instructing a team to run hard & play on requires amazing skill! (again Hawks minor premiers) 2014 it was Longmire again, justified by the Swans being minor premiers! (GF made a mockery of this decision) Meanwhile Clarko revolutionized football with the zone in 2008 and then precision kicking to take apart opposition zones in 2012, is the sport's most respected current coach, is already one of the all-time greats and may go down as the greatest ever should Hawthorn walk away with this year's flag.

Always a great honour to read your fabulous poems Bronwyn. They not only show your passion for the Hawks as well as displaying your serious talent as a poet. This is a great tribute to the true Clarko, a genius coach as well as a sincere gentleman with empathy for all