HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has apologised to two Port Melbourne players he verbally abused at quarter-time of a VFL match on the weekend.
Clarkson was sent a 'please explain' by AFL Victoria on Monday, after reacting angrily to a behind-play hit on Box Hill player Sam Iles during the first quarter of the match.
The Hawks coach, whose temper has landed him in hot water in the past, attended the Box Hill huddle during the quarter-time break and, as he left the playing arena, approached Port Melbourne's Toby Pinwill to vent his disapproval at the hit on Iles.
Pinwill's teammate John Baird then intervened, and also received the premiership coach's wrath.
Clarkson apologised to the two players on Monday afternoon, after AFL Victoria sent Hawthorn a letter seeking an explanation.
The players have accepted Clarkson's apology, and the Hawks have ruled out taking disciplinary action against their coach.
Earlier, Port Melbourne, although angered, had decided not to lodge an official complaint.
However, AFL Victoria launched an investigation after umpires referred the incident on Monday.
"AFL Victoria has asked for an explanation from the Hawthorn FC in regards to an alleged verbal incident involving its senior coach Alastair Clarkson at quarter-time of the round 15 VFL match between Box Hill Hawks and Port Melbourne Saturday at Box Hill City Oval," an AFL Victoria statement sent to AFL.com.au on Monday afternoon said.
Hawthorn provided a response to AFL Victoria on Monday evening, with Clarkson apologising for his conduct and accepting full responsibility.
The matter cannot be referred to the VFL tribunal, as Clarkson is not a Box Hill official.
Pinwill has been charged with striking Iles, with his case to be heard at the tribunal on Tuesday night.
Box Hill is Hawthorn's VFL affiliate club, and a number of Hawthorn-listed players were playing in the match.
In 2012 Clarkson was banned by the South Metro Junior Football League for four matches for abusing a league official during his son's under-9s match.
At the time, the Hawks coach said he was "humiliated" and "should have known better" than to get involved in the incident, which happened just a day after he punched a hole in the MCG coaches' box wall during a match.
In 2009, Clarkson had a heated on-field exchange with Matthew Lloyd after the Essendon full forward ran through Brad Sewell.
Earlier this year, he abused an AFL.com.au reporter after becoming unhappy with the line of questioning during a press conference at Melbourne Airport.
