Hawthorn AFL coach Alastair Clarkson says he is working on his anger issues but admits he is no angel and has humiliated himself with his latest outburst.
Clarkson was on Wednesday night suspended by the South Metro Junior Football League for four weeks for swearing at an umpire’s adviser during his son’s under nines game on Sunday.
The Hawks coach, who has apologised to the 19-year-old adviser Thomas Grundy both publicly and in person, will also give him a written apology.
Clarkson, who was acting as a team runner when the incident took place, said he was unlikely to involve himself in junior football again as a result of the furore.
“I’m really disappointed with my actions, I’m disappointed it’s brought such attention to the whole football world,” Clarkson told reporters on Thursday.
“I’m disappointed it’s brought Thomas to the whole attention of the football world.
“He’s a 19-year-old lad that goes to a game of football to officiate in a manner like he did and he doesn’t expect any person really, let alone the coach of an AFL club, to talk to him in that manner.
“It’s been a very humiliating experience for both myself and Thomas and one that was created in a sense because of my inappropriate behaviour.”
The incident came a day after the Hawks coach damaged a wall in the MCG coaches box when he lashed out in frustration during his side’s win over Collingwood.
Clarkson said he had been working hard to restrain himself from such outbursts since an angry on-field exchange with Essendon’s Matthew Lloyd three years ago, but it remained a work in progress.
“I’ve learnt all the time, I’m still hoping to learn,” he said.
“Everyone knows I’m no angel in regard to this.
“I think I’m getting better, I think since the Lloyd incident which caused huge embarrassment to myself and my football club and once again probably to Lloydy too, I’ve tried really hard to ensure I don’t get embroiled in this type of stuff.
“I didn’t go to that game on the weekend with a view of wanting to bring myself to attention, nor Thomas.
“It just occurred unfortunately, I wish I could have my time again.”
