Kennett drops call to sack Clarko

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has called for coach Alastair Clarkson to be sacked at the season's end following 10th straight loss to Geelong

Keep walking, Clarko. Former Hawk president Jeff Kennett says it is time for a change at Hawthorn. Source: Herald Sun

Cartoon by David 'Macca' McArthur. Source: Herald Sun

A CONTRITE former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said yesterday he "wished he could take back'' his savaging of coach Alastair Clarkson following the club's loss to Geelong at the MCG on Monday.

Kennett said Clarkson, who is contracted for 2014, should leave or be sacked at the end of the season.

In a back-flip, Kennett sent a written apology to Clarkson yesterday, admitting he was out of line and sorry for the grief he'd caused him and his family.

He unsuccessfully tried to ring Clarkson yesterday and later sent a text message.

Kennett revealed he then sent his written apology to Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox, who confirmed that he personally delivered it to the coach at Waverley Park yesterday.

"I tried to ring him, but as often is the case he didn't answer the phone, so I sent him an SMS just to apologise and to say I was going to apologise and I haven't heard back," he said.

"To make sure he got it, I sent a copy to the CEO and asked him to give it to Alastair so I can't have done much more.

"I'm sure we'll catch up at some stage but I'm on my way interstate so it won't be today or tomorrow."

Hawthorn's 10-game losing streak to Geelong is dubbed The Kennett Curse after he questioned the Cats' mental drive on the eve of the 2009 season.

It followed their loss to the Hawks in the 2008 Grand Final.

Speaking about the curse on the eve of Monday's game, Kennett said he had never regretted anything he'd said.

"(But) this is one,'' he said yesterday.

"I'm sure we'll catch up at some stage but I'm on my way interstate, so it won't be today or tomorrow."

Hawthorn's 10-game losing streak to Geelong is dubbed "The Kennett Curse" after he questioned the Cats' mental drive on the eve of the 2009 season. It followed their loss to the Hawks in the 2008 Grand Final.

Speaking about the curse on the eve of Monday's game, Kennett said he had never regretted anything he'd said - "(but) this is one," he added yesterday.

"I wish I could take it back but I can't and all I can do is unreservedly apologise, which I do."

Kennett, club president from 2006-11, said no one from Hawthorn had contacted him about his outburst but, on reflection, he realised his comments were inappropriate.

"Probably uttered in a moment of great frustration because it was just as we were leaving the ground and it actually goes against everything I believe in, in a sense that no individual on their own wins or loses a thing and we do it as a team," he said.

"What I said in signalling out Alastair was totally inappropriate. I am well experienced in dealing with the media so no one is to blame but myself."

Kennett said there was no reason Clarkson, in his ninth year as coach and with a 56.6 per cent win rate, could not see out his contract.

Kennett's letter said:

I apologise to Alastair Clarkson.

I was out of line yesterday in holding him solely responsible for our club not saluting in the last three years and for our performance yesterday.

It is true that with out list of players and the support the club has given the football department that I felt we have underachieved over that three year period.

Of course that is a subjective view, and on each occasion we were beaten by a better team on the day.

And yes, someone must accept responsibility for those defeats.

But maybe in my support for my club I have come to expect too much!

And on reflection I was wrong to single out Alastair alone.

He, like all at the club, have done their best and Alastair has personal values which I have always gratefully respected.

We are all responsible for the good times and less successful.

Monday's game was a classic in that Hawthorn performed well in the first half and Geelong less so. But after halftime Geelong came out on a mission and turned the game on its head.

Our five goal advantage, which became three goals just before half time, quickly disappeared. We seem to have lost our mojo as Geelong found theirs.

The performance of (Paul) Chapman always has me in awe.

He is consistent in his toughness and drives the ball everytime he gets his hands on it. (Joel) Selwood is a wonderful leader who sets a very high standard of both leadership and effort.

Not to say Hawthorn was without contributors through (Sam) Mitchell, (Brad)  Sewell and ever competitive (Josh) Gibson. But, sadly not as competitive enough across the group as our opponents.

I guess when you have witnessed the club grow since 2005 to the level of membership and good health it enjoys today, you just expect it to keep performing at the highest level.

Hopefully that will continue to be the case and the season has just started, so to make judgments based on one game is inappropriate.

That said, the tribal nature of the game drives our emotions and yesterday, in my frustration, I wrongly singled out Alastair and for what was a team result for which we all must accept responsibility and be challenged to do better, week on week.

I sincerely apologise to Alastair Clarkson and his family for the grief I have caused them.

 

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