Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has confirmed that four-time Premiership coach Alastair Clarkson has accepted a role to be part of the Apple Isle’s push for an AFL team.
Earlier this year, the AFL commissioned Carter report found that Tasmania deserves to host its own team in the national competition.
The 18 AFL club presidents will sit down in 2022 to ascertain how the proposed new team can enter the league.
Clarkson will be a huge boost to the pitch for a Tasmanian team.
Hawthorn regularly played in Tasmania during his tenure, and not many will understand the intricacies of a new AFL team like the 53-year-old.
He’s understood to have joined on a six-month contract.
“Alastair will provide input on funding, infrastructure, a state football pathway, talent identification pathways and membership,” Premier Gutwein said via the ABC.
“Alastair will use his existing knowledge and access to prime American sports teams to provide specification on what’s required for a 'best of breed' training and high-performance centre.”
Clarkson plans to spend next year educating himself in the USA after Sam Mitchell took over as head coach of the Hawks at the end of the 2021 season.