AFL chief Gillon McLachlan remains in pursuit of Alastair Clarkson for the Gold Coast Suns coaching job, according to Caroline Wilson.
The four-time premiership coach has already stated that he is set to take a year off after 17 years in the top job at Hawthorn.
However, Wilson understands that McLachlan is intent on talking Clarkson around in a bid to alter the underwhelming fortunes of the Suns.
Stuart Dew is currently in the role and could remain so for 2022 before Clarkson steps in.
“I think Gillon McLachlan is working on Alastair Clarkson as we speak, and has been for some time to get him to the Gold Coast,” Wilson said on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified.
“I think Stuart Dew will play the (caretaker) role next year and by the way, I think Wayne Campbell will come in pretty soon and take over the footy operations job at the Gold Coast.”
In response, Tim Watson and Garry Lyon discussed the situation on SEN Breakfast.
Watson questioned whether it is the role of the competition’s boss to find an embattled club a big-name coach.
Watson asked: “What do you think about that?
“Are you happy with the AFL CEO being the man that’s out there trying to get the coach for the Gold Coast Suns?
“Is that his job?”
Lyon says it would be in McLachlan’s remit to improve the overall quality of the league, regardless of the specifics.
“It would be great for the competition,” he replied.
“His job is to run the most successful competition that he possibly can. Right now, they’re (the Suns) not a successful part of it and they’re a bit of a millstone.
“So if they can get the best coach into that organisation then that would be good for the competition.
“They’re not taking him from anywhere else because he’s not coaching.”
Another talking point is the presence of the outspoken Tony Cochrane at the Gold Coast, who is seen to be a similar figure to Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett who did not always see eye to eye with Clarkson.
“‘Clarko’ has just stepped away from Hawthorn with a very high-profile president in Jeff Kennett,” said Watson.
“My understanding is that he wouldn’t necessarily be that comfortable or happy stepping into a club where they’ve got a pretty high-profile, outspoken type chairman/president as well.”
Lyon concluded: “We spoke about this two weeks ago when it was being bandied around.
“The suggestion to me was that he’s just dealt with one unpredictably outspoken president and if he were to go or even entertain heading up there then maybe that would be something that could hold him back.”
Clarkson has also been approached by Carlton regarding their vacancy, but has turned down two separate overtures from the Blues.