Should coaches remain in the coaches box on game day?
Debate has raged over North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson’s animated behaviour on the boundary line during his team’s one-point win over Fremantle on Saturday night.
It saw the Kangaroos improve to 2-0 under the four-time premiership boss after consecutive 18th-placed finishes in the last two seasons.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Like many coaches do now, Clarkson marshalled his side from the bench against the Dockers, with his enthusiastic actions caught on camera in the narrow win including celebrating passionately on the final siren.
Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson took issue with Clarkson’s behaviour, suggesting he got too caried away.
Timid Dogs? What’s up with Western? | 06:35
“He almost came a cropper on Saturday night with this behaviour,” Wilson said.
“The high fiving with everyone, then there’s the arms widened at an umpiring decision and mock exasperation.
“Had they lost that game by a point or had it been a draw, he would’ve looked a bit foolish.
“That was hubris of the worst order. What if it fired up the opposition? The Carlton players had to actually sit down with Brett Ratten and tell him to stop barracking so much because it was putting them off.”
Meanwhile, Footy Classified host Craig Hutchison believes it’s “great for the game” and “awesome to see him like that,” adding “you’ve whacked him here all year and now they’ve got two wins and you’re still going!”
Wilson has previously been critical of Clarkson’s behaviour including his comment to a Channel 9 journalist — where he allegedly said “your time will come” — in response to a question about Tarryn Thomas in relation to claims of harassment and intimidation surrounding the Kangaroos player.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes noted he “prefers coaches in the coaches box,” but that he “knows it’s each to their own.”
For Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd, Clarkson is embracing a more positive approach than former Roos coach David Noble, who’s relationship with players reportedly became strained due to his assertive methods.
“They were hammered by David Noble as a coach to the point where I think they lost their confidence,” he said.
“I think he’s (Clarkson) trying to do this the other way to try and pick his players back up again.”
