Alastair Clarkson threatened a female reporter in an incident that prompted mediation between the North Melbourne coach and Channel 9.
Clarkson told reporter Elisabeth Moss “your time will come” in an outburst on February 1st as the media descended on Arden Street in the wake of allegations Tarryn Thomas threatened and intimidated multiple women.
Incredibly, Clarkson’s comment is similar to the one Thomas allegedly made among a series of threatening text messages to women as detailed to the AFL integrity unit.
A rattled Moss informed Nine chiefs of the incident, which led to a remorseful Clarkson driving into the network’s Docklands offices for a meeting.
Clarkson then apologised.
Letters were exchanged, with a formal apology from North Melbourne put in writing.
The matter is now considered closed.
In a statement provided exclusively to SEN, Clarkson said he acted to “protect our players and staff”.
Read the statement below:
“I was involved in an incident with a Channel Nine News reporter on the day the news broke about the allegations against Tarryn Thomas.
“There was a significant media pack at the club that day who were actively targeting players, staff and coaches throughout the session and my reaction was to protect our players and staff.
“To my great regret, I overreacted to the Nine News reporter and made one comment to her along the lines of ‘your time will come’. That comment was in reference to facing intense scrutiny when you’re in the public eye and how challenging that can be.
“When I was made aware of the impact of my comment, I sought to apologise immediately to the reporter not realising how my words could have been perceived. I also opted to make that apology in person rather than by phone, in the presence of the reporter and two of her senior colleagues at Channel Nine headquarters later that day. The journalist accepted my apology and we agreed to move forward.” – Alastair Clarkson
Clarkson agreed to coach North Melbourne amid much fanfare last August, turning down interest from Essendon.
He remains the subject of an investigation into claims of racism at Hawthorn.