There is little doubting Alastair Clarkson's quality as a coach. Three premierships with Hawthorn is a testament to his abilities. However, Clarkson has throughout this career - both on and off the field - shown that he has a short fuse. In sprays to his players, that can be seen as just a part of the job, a quirk that can be laughed at when success comes. However, it seems Clarkson's temper also flares in situations that have later caused him to be remorseful. However, he is yet to apologise for his latest run-in with a Port Adelaide fan outside the Hawks' team hotel.
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Here is a list of Clarkson's infamous incidents:
1987: When playing for North Melbourne Clarkson king hits Carlton player Ian Aitken from behind during the infamous Battle of Britain exhibition match at the Oval in London in 1987. He received a four-match penalty.
2006: Is fined $5000 for confronting umpires Scott McLaren and Kieron Nicholls on the return flight to Melbourne after the round 18 game against Fremantle. Clarkson later apologises to the umpires and referred to himself a "peanut" for his behaviour.
2008: Clarkson, who had form for abusing reporters after press conferences, launches a foul-mouthed attack on Tasmanian journalist Brett Stubbs. The crime Stubbs had committed was simply reporting tht Brad Sewell and Jarryd Roughead did not train with the main Hawthorn group the night before a clash against the Western Bulldogs at Launceston and therefore had to be considered in doubt. Hawthorn lost for the first time that season - in round 10 - and Clarkson was fined $5000 for the verbal barrage.
2009: Was handed a $5000 suspended fine for his part in the heated scenes following the Hawks' defeat against Essendon. Clarkson was furious with Bombers captain Matthew Lloyd after he ironed out midfielder Brad Sewell. Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans had to restrain Clarkson, who later apologised for his behaviour which AFL ruled had been in a 'threatening or aggressive manner' and again called himself a "peanut". Lloyd was suspended four games for the hit on Sewell.
2010: Clarkson embarrassed his fellow coaches at the AFL Coaches' Association AGM when he unleashed a four-letter verbal tirade at Gillon McLachlan over the AFL's new broadcast media rules.
2012: Received a four-match ban from the South Metro Junior Football league after he verbally abused a 19-year-old umpiring official during an under-nines match that featured his son.
That incident, which he later referred to as a "humiliating experience", occurred the day after he punched a hole in the wall of the MCG coaching box during the quarter-time break against Collingwood.
2013: Apologised to two Port Melbourne players who he abused during a VFL game. He had been angry about an incident involving Port Melbourne's Toby Pinwill and Box Hill's Sam Iles, which led to Pinwill being reported. He called Pinwill and John Baird after Hawthorn received a letter from the VFL asking Clarkson to explain his behaviour.
He was again caught out swearing at an AFL Media journalist when he tired of questioning about an expected easy win for the Hawks in an upcoming game against Greater Western Sydney.
2015: An incident involving Clarkson and a Port Adelaide fan is investigated by police after the Hawks' loss to the Power in Adelaide. Footage, caught on mobile phone, shows Clarkson lashing out at the fan who was goading him.
