AFL 2022: Former Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge says it’s wrong to push Alastair Clarkson for a coaching decision

Premiership-winning Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge has declared things “won’t end your way” if either North Melbourne or Essendon pushes his former coach Alastair Clarkson to decide between the two teams.

Amid speculation the Bombers are firming to secure Clarkson, having only really entered the race this week, Hodge, who won three flags with his former mentor, said rushing him for a decision would be wrong.

It’s been reported North Melbourne, who were frontrunners to secure Clarkson as a replacement for David Noble, had asked for a decision by Wednesday.

But Hodge believes Clarkson would be taking his time to weigh up all of the factors, having already ruled out taking up the job at GWS.

“I wouldn’t be telling a person like Clarko ‘you need to make a decision now’ because if he’s getting forced and told do something, I don’t think it will end your way,” Hodge said on Wednesday.

“If North have been patient with him this far, just because another suitor has become available, don’t force the issue, I don’t think that would be the right way to go with a person like Clarko.”

Camera Icon Alastair Clarkson is in demand. Brendan Beckett Credit: News Corp Australia

Hodge said Clarkson wouldn’t be in a rush now he had options in play.

“I was starting to believe last week that it was a nice, smooth process and he was going to make a decision this week, but as we’ve said the whole way along, why would he rush when he’s got options,” Hodge told SEN’s Whateley.

“One thing we know about Clarkson is in the heat of the moment he makes quick decisions and they might not be the right one, but when he’s got time and space to sit back and think, he did that with GWS with the four interviews and found that it wasn’t the right pathway for him.

“The North Melbourne one looked like it was a making for both of them and then because of his patience he’s got another suitor.

“I’m sitting here saying North Melbourne supporters, don’t be stressed, just because he’s saying he’d like an interview, this is Clarko doing his due diligence and making sure every stone has been turned to make sure he makes a clear decision and the right decision for him and his family.

“Just because he’s agreed to meet with Essendon and have a chat doesn’t necessarily mean he’s more in favour to go there than North Melbourne.

“He’s a person that wants to make sure everything is done correctly with all the information before he makes a pretty big decision.”