This week, Alastair Clarkson will coach his 300th game for Hawthorn and, in doing so, will overtake the immortal John Kennedy Senior's coaching tally at the club. Both men have an incredible record of success at the club and are interwoven into the very fabric of its culture. The 'Godfather', John Kennedy was responsible for the club's ascent from mediocrity to ruling the game and now, Clarkson is charged with the task of once again delivering the club to greatness. Kennedy Snr's stature has long been viewed as unrivalled in Hawthorn circles, but Clarkson has not only come out of Kennedy’s considerable shadow but has come to be viewed with the same reverence. This is truly remarkable when you consider the mood back at the end of 2004 when noted Hawks fan Stephen Quartermain greeted Clarkson's appointment with one word: 'underwhelmed’. This was a common reaction, with many tapping into the grey clouds of self doubt that had gathered around the club. Clarkson's lack of experience as a senior AFL coach saw him likened to the proverbial 'lamb to the slaughter'. It also went against the grain as Clarkson was a non-Hawthorn person and this furrowed many of the traditionalists’ brows. Clarkson seemed to revel in the face of such slings and arrows. He uncorked the ‘angry ant’ within him and steeled his focus and resolve to prove them all wrong. He made several tough and often unpopular decisions in his infancy as coach, sacrificing many incumbents, regardless of their past deeds or reputation and opted to embrace youth. One such decision was when he replaced Shane Crawford with Richie Vandenberg as captain. Vandenberg's appointment was the first glimmer of Clarkson’s pedigree. The needs of the group called for a strong role model in this period of transition, someone who was willing to take blows on the chin for others. The decision to hand Vandenberg the captaincy also offered protection to the next in line leaders of the club such as Sam Mitchell and the man who would go on to become the 'General', Luke Hodge for at that point in time they were not quite ready. Vandenberg's appointment was the right choice at that time. Just as profound as the Vandenberg appointment in the club's rise was Clarkson's procurement of fitness guru Andrew Russell from Port Adelaide. So insistent was Clarkson on this recruiting move, he even offered to pay Russell's wage himself. This was a testament to his dedication and belief in his blueprint for the club. Clarkson's priority was to focus the club's recruiting on developing the spine of the playing group. This, coupled with his keen eye for rough gems from other clubs set all the aces in place for his genius to come to the fore. This has seen him ascend to a revolutionary figure of the AFL, one who has reinvented the way the game is played. He has rendered traditional positions obsolete and replaced them with zones and presses, each brilliant plan coupled with unrivalled tactical nous. The ’Clarko Cluster' was one of his many innovations that commandeered the remarkable 2008 flag. It bamboozled and befuddled the opposition think tanks like no other evolution in the game's history. The main appeal of his genius is his chameleon demeanour. He continues to stay ahead of current trends and does this all with profound charisma. How he tinkers and continues to evolve deceives opposition teams into thinking they have a grasp on his tactics, only to have this morph into uncertainty once more. This year, as the club again embraces a transitional period, we have seen another side to Clarkson. Whilst all have seemingly rejoiced in the end of the Hawks era and a predicted long rebuild, he has remained calm, composed and unquestionably loyal, which has brought a sense of reassurance to the new generation. Clarkson's genius would not garner the success it has without his high sense of empathy. He reeks of 'realness' which is such a rare quality in this transparent age. Everyone at Hawthorn knows he will always have their back. This compels a belief in him that borders on zealotry. Both on and off the field, this all encompassing faith has helped place him on the mantle as a cultural icon of the club. 
An example of Clarkson's incredible kindness and empathy was highlighted after the death of past great David ‘Rubber’ O’Halloran in 2013. Clarko responded to this unexpected passing by inviting 'Rubber's' widow and two children not only to attend the match, but be involved in the post game huddle as they sang the team song. Tears flowed that day but such a warm embrace was not lost on anyone who is proud to call Hawthorn 'the Family Club'. This touching gesture harkens back to an era of the game that was defined by loyalty. With such a notion almost a thing of the past with players being so dispensable these days, this act made all that bore witness to it know that even when you are departed from the club, the club will never depart you.
Always Hawthorn’