Why Clarko likes it only one way at Hawks â the hard way AFL Round 10. 22/05/2021. Carlton vs Hawthorn at the MCG. Patrick Cripps of the Blues looks to give during the 2nd qtr. . Pic: Michael Klein
News by Glenn McFarlane, Russell Gould 23rd May 2021 6:36 AM
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Alastair Clarkson is the ultimate competitor, but the four-time premiership coach knows he and the rebuilding Hawks are in the fight of their footy lives right now.
But the man who shaped modern coaching as much as anyone else across the past decade and a half is certain the wheels of fortune will ultimately turn for Hawthorn.
by Russell Gould and Jasper Bruce 22nd May 2021 4:56 PM
Carlton defeated Hawthorn to notch its fourth win of the season but AFL fans and pundits were far from thrilled with the calibre of Saturday afternoonâs contest.
Touted as a chance to return to finals footy in the pre-season, the Blues have endured a lukewarm season thus far and were less than impressive in their 23-point victory. Their inefficiency inside 50 (35.7 per cent) kept the struggling Hawks in the game until late in the final term.
Hawthorn, who last week lost to cellar-dwellers North Melbourne, bettered Carlton in the clearance (45-37), contested possession (150-145) and turnover counts (82-72) but were also guilty of some poor skills inside 50.
Carlton has kept its slim finals hopes alive with an error-riddled victory, but it took a halftime blast from coach David Teague to stir the wayward Blues into action.