It was the news all Hawthorn fans were yearning for.
The supercoach Alastair Clarkson signing on with the club until 2022.
With constant speculation over what direction his coaching career could take at the end of his contracted 2019 season, the 50-year-old put a year of potential conjecture to bed as he signed on for his 16th, 17th and 18th season at the Hawks’ helm.
Take a look at the extent of Clarkson’s incredible coaching résumé below:
● With four premierships to his name, he is one of just 12 coaches in the history of the game to have lifted a cup aloft on at least four occasions.
● His career winning percentage of 62.6 percent ranks fifth all-time for those that have coached at least 180 games.
● His grand final record, having won four of his five attempts, is matched only by Leigh Matthews and stands as the best record of any coach who has led his side into at least three finales.
● Since beginning his term at Hawthorn in 2005, Clarkson has seen 60 different coaches lead the 17 opposition clubs, including eight different Essendon and Melbourne coaches, six Brisbane coaches and five Carlton.
● By the end of his new contract extension, Clarkson will move past Essendon’s Dick Reynolds into the top ten for all-time games coached.
● Clarkson has led his side to more finals than coaching greats Norm Smith, John Kennedy Snr and Denis Pagan did.
