DID HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson nod off?

As star Hawk Tom Mitchell made his Brownlow Medal acceptance speech, he naturally thanked his master coach.

MITCHELL'S MEDAL Tom takes home 'Charlie'

The camera duly cut to Clarkson, who either had his head down looking at the floor as he listened to his star midfielder – or the night had gone a bit late for him.

It certainly looked like Clarkson was having a quick nap and the image quickly went viral on social media.

"I don't know what he was doing – what was he doing?," Mitchell said later.

"It looked like it (he was asleep), maybe he wasn't too interested, who knows?"

BROWNLOW TRACKER Every vote, every game

But Clarkson was very alert a few minutes later.

He was one of the first to congratulate Mitchell, giving him a big hug when he took an unbeatable lead with a couple of rounds left in the count.

AS IT HAPPENED 2018 Brownlow Medal night

"He's played a huge role – he just said he was very proud and hard work pays off," Mitchell said.

"It's not the reason we play, we don't play the game for individual accolades, although they're very nice when they come along.

"Our main goal at Hawthorn is to win a premiership, so I'm hoping I can be a part of that next campaign."

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Mitchell is the second Hawk to win a Brownlow in Clarkson's legendary reign at Hawthorn.

Sam Mitchell and Richmond's Trent Cotchin were awarded the 2012 Brownlow retrospectively.

Brownlow Medal top 10

28 Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
24 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
21 Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
20 Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
20 Max Gawn (Melbourne)
19 Rory Laird (Adelaide)
19 Dustin Martin (Richmond)
18 Dayne Beams (Brisbane)
18 Jack Steven (St Kilda)
17 Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
17 Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)