INTERIM Hawthorn Coach Brendon Bolton views the challenge of filling Hawthorn’s senior role as an opportunity for the players and coaching staff to step up.
Bolton will coach the Hawks in the absence of Alastair Clarkson, who is currently in hospital being treated for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after suffering acute back pain on Monday night.
He isn’t expected to return for a few weeks.
While Bolton, previously Hawthorn’s forward line coach, has big shoes to fill; he says it will be a team-effort to fill the void left by the dual premiership coach.
“I’d say it’s probably an opportunity for “we” to step up – that’s our leadership group to fill a little bit of the void and we’ve got a terrific coaching staff, which have always worked as a group and a team,” he told hawthornfc.com.au on Wednesday.
“All it means is that there is one less person there and we’ve all got to take a little bit of what Clarko gives.
“Clarko has tried to create real sustainable processes – so while he’s out, we can all just share the load.
“(The players) understand what’s required and our coaches have been here and together for a number of years.
“What makes it easier is that everyone wants to share the load, both coaches and players, so I think it’ll still work.”
Bolton has spent six years at Hawthorn, starting in 2009 where he was appointed senior coach of the Club’s VFL affiliate after coaching North Hobart and Clarence in his home state, Tasmania.
In that time, the Tasmanian has become a close friend of Clarkson and will continue to be in regular contact with him during his time as senior coach.
“Our main thoughts are with making him be able to relax and not have to worry and stress so he can focus on his family in Caryn (his wife) and his kids and himself to get back as quickly as possible,” Bolton said.
“(But) Knowing ‘Clarko’, he’ll want to know absolutely everything, but that’s ok.
“I’ll touch base with the doctors, the medicos, Clarko himself, Caryn (his wife), to get a feel for what’s best for his recovery.
“If he wants lots and that’s ok, well I’ll give him what he wants but if it only needs to be minimal based on him being able to recover and relax, that’ll be the case.
Bolton at Hawthorn training.
Like Clarkson, Bolton comes from a teaching background and that’s where his true passion lies.
What has made him one of the most respected coaches in the AFL today is his attention to detail and ability to teach his players about the game.
“I had a real hunger to want to help people, so that was a no brainer for me to want to become a teacher,” he said.
“I also had a passion for footy, so the two merged and here we are coaching.
“I coached and played really young, I started at 24, and have continued that journey until now so hopefully that puts me in good stead for the coming weeks.”
With the Haw ks in fourth position on the ladder with six wins and three losses and expected to play finals this season, Bolton says he will encourage his players and coaches not to look too far into the future.
The focus at Hawthorn doesn’t waver despite the change in coach.
“I’m not looking that far ahead,” Bolton said of the possibility of coaching during finals.
“I’d love to think that we’re still competitive at that stage but at the moment, it’s a week by week proposition.
“A lot of my energy and thought processes will go into making sure that Clarko gets himself right and make sure the team doesn’t look too far ahead.
“(Because) if we do look too far ahead, we lose focus on what’s important right now, and that’s just winning games.”
Development Coach Adem Yze will become the forward line coach during the time Bolton is interim senior coach.
