BEING the wife of an AFL coach can’t be easy.

There are the ups and downs of team performance and in the modern day, unprecedented scrutiny on the careers of coaches and players alike.

AFL and sport in general is a brutal business. It affects not only the person involved, but the families behind them.

Caryn Clarkson, wife of Senior Coach Alastair is no different.

The ups and downs of Hawthorn and her husband’s career affects her, though she tries to keep a positive outlook to support her husband in the pursuit of the ultimate success.

In 2008, Alastair coached Hawthorn to a premiership. A day he will no doubt never forget.

But what about the woman behind the man, how did she see that day, when Alastair held the cup aloft with then Captain, Sam Mitchell.

For Alastair, it was the culmination of hard work, dedication and many hours of preparation, training and commitment to the cause.

For Caryn, it was the same, having ridden the ups and downs of the season with her husband, attended matches, analysed players and listened to the strengths, weaknesses, the ins and the outs of the happening, the inner sanctum of Hawthorn.

“2008 was a dream come true,” Caryn told Helen Kapalos in an interview with HawksTV.

“It was one of the happiest days of my life and that for my children as well.

“It was indescribable, the feeling, it was a little bit surreal.”

In 2012, Caryn and her husband experienced what no football person wishes for.

A loss on the last Saturday in September.

It was a heartbreaking day for everyone involved with Hawthorn Football Club, be it the players, coaches, staff, the board or members and supporters.

For Caryn Clarkson, it was the same.

“2012 is one of those days that I can’t think about too much because I’m an emotional person; it broke my heart because I knew all the work that went into that season and that game,” she said.

“It has taught me a lot about life – football is like life because you have your ups and downs.”

What many people might not know is, Caryn is just as passionate about her football as Alastair.

She attends matches and analyses the performances of the players, just like her husband.

When Hawthorn plays, from start to finish she, and their children - Stephanie, Georgia and Matthew are engulfed with passion for the brown and gold.

But her role as a support network, a wife of Alastair extends to much more than what many would expect.

Alastair, for all the knowledge and expertise he holds about the game of AFL, still turns to Caryn for thoughts on his side’s performance.

“Quite often after a game he’d question me about certain things – I try and stay positive as much as I can and try to be there as a bit of support and listen to what he’s got to say and give also some honest feedback,” she said.

In Caryn and Alastair’s 200 games with Hawthorn, it’s no wonder the brown and gold occupy a special place in their hearts.

“Hawthorn is a very important part of our life and always will be,” Caryn said.

“Hawthorn is us now and it will be forever.”