Hawks supporter Byron Sweerts reflects on the achievements of Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn FC.
All Hawthorn supporters should acknowledge the efforts of Alastair Clarkson since being appointed head coach in 2004.
Clarkson’s debut year in 2005 as coach had the Hawks finishing in 14th position on the ladder with a 5-17 win loss record. Disappointing as it was for our club to only sing our club song on five occasions, we could all appreciate the fact that Clarkson finally had our club headed in the right direction.
Many supporters at this stage may have had their doubts over whether Clarkson was the right man for the job and whether 2006 would simply be a repeat of 2005.
Clarkson, nevertheless, stuck to his guns. He continued instilling into his young side a culture of discipline and hardness at the ball last seen in the conquering Hawthorn side of the 1980s. This approach quickly developed a new found tenacity throughout the team and it resulted in the gradual resurgence of Hawthorn in 2006.
Even though the Hawks didn’t qualify for the finals, they ended up finishing 11th on the ladder with a 9-12 win loss record. Even more satisfying was the emergence of the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Jordan Lewis, Hawthorn’s top three draft picks in 2004, all showing glimpses of brilliance throughout the year.
Late in 2006 was probably when many supporters were able to appreciate how far Hawthorn had come since Clarkson’s appointment. The focus on drafting youth and avoiding the quick fixes was beginning to pay off for the Hawks.
Entering the 2007 season, Clarkson knew that this year had to result in Finals football. There was no excuse. After two years of rebuilding and establishing a solid foundation for the club to continue developing, anything less than 8th position on the ladder would be deemed as a failure.
Not only has this goal been achieved, but the club managed to exceed their expectations and finish in 5th position on the ladder.
The 3-point win against Adelaide in the first Elimination Final was a testament to how accomplished in his role Clarkson has become in such a short period of time.
Being voted this season’s number one coach by over 600 players in an exclusive Herald Sun-AFLPA Survey, finishing in front of Geelong’s Mark Thompson and West Coast’s John Worsfold, demonstrates how fortunate the Hawks are to have secured such an enthusiastic and determined coach.
At the end of the day though, no one remembers the team that finished fifth or even second for that matter. A club will only be judged a total success when they have won a premiership. This is the one statistic that can be used to compare the overall level of success between one club and the other.
Whether you are a player or supporter, we can all look forward to next year with great anticipation and we hope we can go all the way and secure Hawthorn’s 10th premiership. It has been a long time between drinks, but it will be well worth the wait when it happens.
If you haven’t already done so this year, take a moment and charge your glass to the magnificent job Clarkson did in getting the Hawks into the semi-finals.
To Clarkson!
Byron Sweerts
*************
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Hawthorn Football Club. hawthornfc.com.au would like to acknowledge the contribution of supporters to the Official Club website. If you would like to sign up to write for hawthornfc.com.au click here for more details.
All Hawthorn supporters should acknowledge the efforts of Alastair Clarkson since being appointed head coach in 2004.
Clarkson’s debut year in 2005 as coach had the Hawks finishing in 14th position on the ladder with a 5-17 win loss record. Disappointing as it was for our club to only sing our club song on five occasions, we could all appreciate the fact that Clarkson finally had our club headed in the right direction.
Many supporters at this stage may have had their doubts over whether Clarkson was the right man for the job and whether 2006 would simply be a repeat of 2005.
Clarkson, nevertheless, stuck to his guns. He continued instilling into his young side a culture of discipline and hardness at the ball last seen in the conquering Hawthorn side of the 1980s. This approach quickly developed a new found tenacity throughout the team and it resulted in the gradual resurgence of Hawthorn in 2006.
Even though the Hawks didn’t qualify for the finals, they ended up finishing 11th on the ladder with a 9-12 win loss record. Even more satisfying was the emergence of the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Jordan Lewis, Hawthorn’s top three draft picks in 2004, all showing glimpses of brilliance throughout the year.
Late in 2006 was probably when many supporters were able to appreciate how far Hawthorn had come since Clarkson’s appointment. The focus on drafting youth and avoiding the quick fixes was beginning to pay off for the Hawks.
Entering the 2007 season, Clarkson knew that this year had to result in Finals football. There was no excuse. After two years of rebuilding and establishing a solid foundation for the club to continue developing, anything less than 8th position on the ladder would be deemed as a failure.
Not only has this goal been achieved, but the club managed to exceed their expectations and finish in 5th position on the ladder.
The 3-point win against Adelaide in the first Elimination Final was a testament to how accomplished in his role Clarkson has become in such a short period of time.
Being voted this season’s number one coach by over 600 players in an exclusive Herald Sun-AFLPA Survey, finishing in front of Geelong’s Mark Thompson and West Coast’s John Worsfold, demonstrates how fortunate the Hawks are to have secured such an enthusiastic and determined coach.
At the end of the day though, no one remembers the team that finished fifth or even second for that matter. A club will only be judged a total success when they have won a premiership. This is the one statistic that can be used to compare the overall level of success between one club and the other.
Whether you are a player or supporter, we can all look forward to next year with great anticipation and we hope we can go all the way and secure Hawthorn’s 10th premiership. It has been a long time between drinks, but it will be well worth the wait when it happens.
If you haven’t already done so this year, take a moment and charge your glass to the magnificent job Clarkson did in getting the Hawks into the semi-finals.
To Clarkson!
Byron Sweerts
*************
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Hawthorn Football Club. hawthornfc.com.au would like to acknowledge the contribution of supporters to the Official Club website. If you would like to sign up to write for hawthornfc.com.au click here for more details.
