Clarko deserved better terms
Jeff Kennett says Alastair Clarkson's standing as one of just three premiership coaches in the AFL next year meant he was due more money
The Hawks announced on Friday morning Clarkson had re-signed with the club for an additional three years, which extends his contract through until the conclusion of the 2014 season.
While Kennett would not be drawn on the exact details of Clarkson's new deal, he indicated it came with a bigger salary than his previous contract given the fact he would enter 2012 as one of two premiership coaches in the competition.
West Coast coach John Worsfold - who is expected to be offered a contract extension beyond this year soon - will be the other if he continues at the Eagles, as predicted by many.
"We don't [comment on his salary] but suffice to say, it recognises the fact that he's one of only two premiership coaches who will be coaching next year at this stage, with Worsfold the other," Kennett told radio station 3AW on Friday morning.
"We don't know about Mick [Malthouse] so [Worsfold] is the only certainty [Kevin Sheedy, coach of the expansion Greater Western Sydney will make it three premiership coaches in 2012.]"
"It also recognises the culture of our club, so we recognise Alastair's success, we back him in the future, and we also understand that Hawthorn will never set the upper limits for players or coaches or presidents, not that presidents get paid.
"It's a good outcome for all of us."
Kennett denied the Hawks had been devious in starting talks with Clarkson would not produce a formalised agreement until the end of the season, which is at least three weeks away for the club given they have a confirmed top four position and will play a minimum of two finals.
"We haven't broken a promise. It's two matches away from the end of the season," he said.
"We put a process in place and we said we weren't going to worry about this until the end of the season, and we're now right on door knock and we're very pleased Alastair has agreed to stay for another three years.
"That gives the club a great deal of stability, and I predict that over the next five years they're going to go through a wonderful period both on and off the field."
Clarkson said on Friday Melbourne and Adelaide had both enquired with his manager Liam Pickering about his situation in the lead up to his confirmed new deal, but had not made official offers.
Kennett said the decision to re-sign Clarkson was not influenced by what the other two clubs were doing.
"I don't know [if there were other offers], we didn't discuss that," he said.
"The process was always; the board makes its decision, we then charge our CEO Stuart Fox to do the negotiations, in this case with Alastair's manager, and that was completed on [Thursday] night.
"It was a good deal and I thank Stuart and Liam and Alastair and the club can now focus on the things that matter."