Nick Riewoldt claims FOURTEEN AFL clubs would be ‘silly’ not to chase four-time premiership-winning coach Alastair Clarkson – and St Kilda legend tips Gold Coast and GWS as likely destinations for the ex-Hawthorn boss
- Nick Riewoldt believes as many as 14 clubs will be interested in Alastair Clarkson
- The former Hawthorn boss is currently enjoying a hiatus from the AFL
- However, his possible availability could spark a great race for the coach
- Riewoldt says GWS and Gold Coast would be his most likely destinations
- However, Jason Dunstall has poured cold water on a possible move to the Suns
Nick Riewoldt believes as many as 14 AFL clubs would be interested in acquiring the services of Alastair Clarkson with the Hawthorn legend’s presence looming over the coaching market.
Clarkson is enjoying a break from footy after his marathon 17-year stint in charge of the Hawks, soaking up the NBA playoffs after being spotted at San Francisco’s Chase Centre ahead of Golden State Warriors’ Game 5 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
The 53-year-old has expressed an interest in learning from different sporting organisations, exploring business opportunities and undertaking study, but there appears an inevitability surrounding his return to the AFL.
As many as 14 AFL clubs would be interested in acquiring Alastair Clarkson’s services, Nick Riewoldt has claimed
Given his soaring success at Hawthorn, Clarkson’s expected availability will be of interest to a whole host of clubs and St Kilda legend Riewoldt claims that 14 of the game’s 18 sides would look to nab Clarkson.
‘If the AFL had their way (on where Clarkson would coach) it would be one of the growth markets, the Giants or Gold Coast Suns. We do know the AFL wield a bit of influence,’ he said via Fox Sports.
‘Fourteen clubs, do your due diligence. I think 14 clubs would be silly not to ask the question.’
The Hawthorn legend is currently enjoying a hiatus after his 17-year stint as an AFL coach
Riewoldt believes that a whole host of clubs would be ‘silly’ not to pursue Clarkson should he want to make an AFL return
Meanwhile, Hawks great Jason Dunstall believes that Clarkson will want to return to the game as he still ‘has a passion to coach’.
‘I think he does (want to coach again). I just think there’s a passion still to coach,’ Dunstall said.
‘Unless he gets a higher calling — as in a bigger organisation than an AFL club — I think he’ll be back coaching. And he may just get some nice offers at the end of the year, there could be a few clubs available.
‘I don’t think you’re going to buy Clarko or do anything special… he’s going to look at the list and find a group that he wants to work with.
‘And wherever he thinks he can do the best work, I think that’s where he’ll go. It’s not going to be an extra $200k here or there (that influences him).’
The St Kilda great has tipped GWS and Gold Coast as likely destinations for the 53-year-old
However, Jason Dunstall believes the Suns would be a ‘journey too far’ for the Hawthorn great
However, Dunstall disagreed with Riewoldt’s view that Clarkson could end up at one of the expansion clubs, opining that the Suns, for example, would be a ‘journey too far’.
‘Sometimes there’s a journey too far, isn’t there. Gold Coast in all sports has proven that thus far. Does he go that way? I don’t know, we’ll wait and see. Mind you we’re not sacking any coaches either, we don’t wish that on anyone.
‘But if someone has a bad year this year and you are involved at the footy club and he’s available, it’d be crazy to not go and talk to him.’
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