HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson addressed his players on Tuesday morning to make it clear – again – that he had no intention of coaching anywhere else.
Former Hawk Ben Dixon predicted on the Don't Argue podcast on Monday that the four-time premiership coach would accept a $2 million-a-year deal at season's end to be Carlton's next coach.
Dixon's comments set off a wildfire of media commentary, but, according to recruit Tom Scully, Clarkson made light of the talk with his playing group and ensured them he was going nowhere.
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"I saw something about it but once again, as a player, I don't read anything into that," Scully said of Dixon's prediction.
"That's his opinion and as far as I’m concerned, Clarko's the coach and until he says otherwise, there's nothing really to see.
"Clarko made a little reference to it this morning but it was all a bit of a joke.
"He just said, 'We'll address the elephant in the room – I'm not going to Carlton'."
Clarkson signed a three-year contract extension in October last year to remain in charge at Hawthorn until the end of 2022.
The speculation comes as the Hawks sit 12th with a 5-8 win-loss record ahead of a difficult five weeks against West Coast (fourth), Collingwood (second), Fremantle (eighth), Geelong (first) and Brisbane (sixth).
Perhaps making the perception of Friday night's loss to Sydney worse was the fact Hawthorn fielded the round's oldest side compared to the Swans being the third-youngest.
Scully was one of many culprits, winning only eight disposals, marking the first time he's failed to reach double digits without an injury ending his day early.
For the second time this year, there were seven Hawks with nine possessions or fewer.
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"Obviously, we were disappointed with our performance against Sydney – there's no shying away from that," he said.
"But, in saying that, we're looking at the next nine weeks of the home and away season as a great opportunity for us to do something about our season.
"We're not in a position that we'd like to be, sitting at 5-8, but that's done and dusted now, so from this point forward we're looking at the next nine games – starting with West Coast this weekend – as a real opportunity to really make a stand and try and improve on the first half of our year."
Scully joined Hawthorn in a closely scrutinised trade from Greater Western Sydney, at a time a serious ankle injury threatened his career, or at least his ability to return to his best.
The 28-year-old's famed work ethic and dedication helped him play by round two and he hasn't missed a match since.
Scully said he had exceeded even his own expectations, but the Hawks' on-field results were the opposite.
"You look at history, the way Hawthorn's been able to back up year after year over an eight or 10-year period and they've been thereabouts nearly every year," he said.
"No doubt you're probably thinking after finishing top four last year, the club had aspirations this year to look at that again.
"But it's probably not looking that way at the moment. It's not to say we can't do something about it in the last nine weeks.
"We're certainly not thinking the year's done."
Tom Scully gets a kick away during the loss to Sydney. Picture: AFL Photos
One teammate who has caught Scully's eye is fellow wingman Ricky Henderson, the man likely leading the Hawks' best and fairest to date and a potential All Australian.
"He's having an outstanding year," Scully said.
"His ability to not only get the ball but he does a lot of stuff off the ball as well that people probably don’t see, so he's got a great all-round game.
"He's certainly enjoying a fantastic year … so if he can keep that up for the rest of the year, he's on track for a terrific year."
