Jordan Lewis’ “gut feel” is that Alastair Clarkson will take time away from football once his 17-year reign as Hawthorn coach comes to an end.
It’s understood Clarkson and the Hawks agreed on a $900,000 settlement for the year left on the four-time premiership coach’s contract.
Since his impending Hawthorn exit was confirmed, Clarkson has been linked to Carlton, Gold Coast and the vacant coaching position at Collingwood, but Lewis expects the 53-year-old to take a sabbatical in 2022.
“My gut feel is to have some time away from the game. I think you need to,” Lewis told SEN Breakfast.
“Anyone that’s changed organisations or had a period out of the game, you see the game a bit differently.
“He might come back with new skills and a new way to think about the game.
“A year off doesn’t hurt. It’s not as if he’s not getting paid.”
With Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn drawing to a close, Lewis says the final three games of the season will allow the playing group to begin transitioning to the Sam Mitchell era.
“From a Hawthorn point of view, and there’s been a lot that’s been said, whether you’re a Sam Mitchell fan or not, I think this next three weeks and certainly over the pre-season, it’s something that you’ll need to get over,” Lewis said.
“If you’re a player that’s been unhappy with how it’s transpired – fair enough, you’re absolutely entitled to be emotional about the decision.
“But there comes a time where you’ll need to move on and the next three weeks might provide an opportunity to thank Alastair, but then that provides a moment of change for any player that’s there.”
Hawthorn (5-13-1) travel to Tasmania to take on Collingwood (6-13) on Sunday afternoon.