Alastair Clarkson is again attempting to defend himself after he was involved in another incident of conduct unbecoming.
The North Melbourne coach is being investigated by the AFL after allegedly using vile language towards the umpires’ bench during his side’s loss to Port Adelaide in Hobart on the weekend.
ROOS COACH CLARKSON UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR USING VILE LANGUAGE TOWARDS UMPIRES
It is the latest incident on a lengthy rap sheet.
SEN regular and Channel 9 journalist Tom Morris believes the key to this particular incident involving Clarkson is whether or not he directed what he said to the match officials or simply uttered the words in frustration.
“The key with this incident is not whether he said it. He did use two fruity words, one starting with F and one starting with C,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“It’s who he said it to. If he did say it to the match officials or in the direction of the match officials next to the North Melbourne bench then I’d imagine he’s in significant trouble.
“If he said it into the ether then it’s a really interesting discussion because it was heard by security guards, match officials and people in the crowd around.
“What is his obligation as a role model and senior coach to behave in a certain manner on the bench? That’s a discussion that I think is a wider one.”
Melbourne great Garry Lyon feels Clarkson, who is prone to outbursts, needs to consider remaining in the coaches’ box if he cannot keep his emotions under control during the course of a football match.
“I’ll be prepared to wait until they hand down the verdict, then if he’s stepped outside the boundaries again and he cops a two-week suspension because he’s abused an umpire then he is a slow learner,” Lyon said.
“If he’s just swearing in the general course of play, again be cognisant of where you are and who is around you.
“If you’re in the coaches’ box you can swear and go nuts. I’ve sat in enough coaches’ boxes to know what they’re like. If you’re down on the boundary, it’s a different story.
“I’m fully on board with being aware of your surroundings and the people who are in the vicinity. I’m a swearer and I need to be very cognisant of where I’m at.
“If it is directed at an umpire then he’ll cop his right whack, there’s no problem with that. If it’s general swearing of that nature in a public forum when there are people within earshot, then you’ve got to be held accountable for that as well.”
Lyon continued, handing out some sage advice in the process: “I have spoken to Alastair about this stuff, about how you have to be in control.
“If you know you are prone to outbursts like that in the heat of a battle, in this instance we’re talking football, then pack yourself away. Put yourself in the soundproof box.”
Morris expects the AFL to hand down their findings at some point today (Thursday) once all the information is gathered.
“There’s absolutely a possibility that match officials or people near the umpires’ bench would have interpreted it as towards them when in fact his intent was not towards them,” Morris added further.
“The hard thing about Alastair Clarkson is that his rap sheet is so long one is less inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt than before, which is perhaps a little unfair given footy coaches can swear all the time.
“It’s a difficult and nuanced one.”
If found guilty, Clarkson would be hit with an automatic two-game ban suspended from his recent indiscretion against St Kilda in pre-season and whatever else the AFL opts to hand out from a financial viewpoint. If not, he’ll be free to coach on.
The 0-11 Roos have a bye this weekend before returning to action against West Coast in Perth in Round 13.