Alastair Clarkson’s unquestioned loyalty means Jordan Lewis can forgive his former AFL coach’s infamous mood.
The new North Melbourne coach has been in hassle once more, this time for a confrontation with a feminine reporter at the beginning of the month.
Clarkson spoke in regards to the incident on Monday night time and admitted there was no assure it might be the final time.
Lewis, who performed in 4 premiership groups underneath Clarkson at Hawthorn, was requested on Tuesday if he’d have believed him had he stated in any other case.
“I don’t think he would have believed (it) himself,” Lewis replied.
“That is what we loved at Hawthorn, that he’d go in and bat for his players every single time,” Lewis stated.
“At least that is a consistent part of the way he’s held himself. It’s part of the package.”
Lewis, who was talking on the launch of the Carlton Draft neighborhood soccer program, additionally acknowledged there was at all times scope for Clarkson to handle his mood higher.
“He’s aware of where he falls down … but a lot of the time, when he gets in trouble, you can’t anticipate what’s going to happen and how he reacts to certain situations,” Lewis stated.
“Every time he has stepped out of line, he’s shown remorse.
“Yes, it is on repeat, nevertheless it’s nonetheless about schooling, even for somebody who’s been within the sport for so long as he is been.
“You still can slip up every now and again, it’s how you address it, it’s how you try and manage that.”
Lewis additionally stated it was essential for Clarkson to have sturdy individuals round him, similar to long-time lieutenants Todd Viney and Brett Ratten.
The glory days that Lewis and Clarkson loved at Hawthorn are lengthy gone, with the Hawks now deep in a crew rebuild underneath coach Sam Mitchell.
“In my own opinion, it was probably a phase they should have gone to a couple of years ago,” Lewis stated.
“I admire what Sam’s doing with the young group. It’s going to take a bit of pain.
“It takes an individual of fine character and an individual of substance to have the ability to say ‘no, we have to go in a unique course’.”
Lewis attended Hawthorn’s guernsey presentation on Sunday and was struck by the youth of the team.
“Be ready to have some ache by the subsequent couple of years,” he stated.
“But perceive that the undercurrent and the substance that is happening on the market, getting ex-players again and making an attempt to construct this tradition, I believe they’re on observe.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
