Legendary coach Alastair Clarkson has emphatically pledged his loyalty to Hawthorn, declaring his intention to see this out amid fresh links to a rival clubs vacant coaching position this time Collingwoods.
Nathan Buckley will coach the Magpies for the final time this weekend after he sensationally announced his resignation on Wednesday.
Assistant Robert Harvey will then take over as a caretaker until seasons end, but Magpies football boss Graham Wright indicated the clubs search for a full-time senior coach would commence promptly.
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Ex-Saints and Dockers coach Ross Lyon, who many see as an ideal candidate to replace Buckley full-time, on Wednesday night told Channel 9s Footy Classified that if Clarkson was to become available for the Magpies job, thered be no competition.
But speaking to reporters on Thursday, Clarkson pointed to his track record that has seen him remain loyal to the Hawks for 16 seasons.
Clarkson reiterated he was contracted to Hawthorn until the end of 2022 and was invested in the direction the club was heading in.
Im contracted at Hawthorn next year and I think Ive spoken about this, Clarkson said.
Alastair Clarkson reiterated he was contracted to Hawthorn until the end of 2022. Picture: Albert PerezSource: Getty Images
This happens every year, I dare say for the last 10 and I dont say that in an arrogant fashion. Every time there is some sort of movement with a coach, my name is linked to it.
I havent moved for 10 years and I dare say I wont be moving this time either.
My focus is purely on the Hawthorn footy club and Im still contracted. I want to see this out because of the players we have got here, I am invested in.
Clarkson has coached the Hawks to four flags during arguably the most successful coaching stint in the AFL era.
Asked on Fox Footys AFL 360 if he could envisage Clarkson departing Hawthorn to coach Collingwood in 2022, ex-Hawk Jarryd Roughead said: No I cant.
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I think with the way hes set up and the way he is as a coach and a man, hes very loyal to his club. Hes defended us for so many years, so I dont think I can see him coaching another side until his contracts up.
Fellow four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis added: Its probably becoming more likely that he might not coach at Hawthorn for a period of time. Theyll make a decision in due course. But would he be fit for the job? Absolutely.
But it would be hard to see Alastair Clarkson coaching another side, just because its been so long since hes been at Hawthorn and defended that club vigorously throughout his coaching career. It would be weird, but you get over that period if he stepped into the role.
Clarkson paid tribute to Buckley and the contribution hed made to both the Magpies and the AFL.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson paid tribute to Nathan Buckleys contribution to footy. Picture: Darrian TraynorSource: Getty Images
Its always disappointing when these things happen mid-season. He has been a great contributor to the game over a long period of time, Bucks, Clarkson said.
It just causes instability across the league when a senior coach parts ways with his club mid-season.
He has been a great contributor to the game both as a player and coach and he is a ripper of a bloke. But in the wisdom of both he and the Collingwood Football Club they saw fit to part ways at this point in time.