By Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu
In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- Alastair Clarkson pens a letter to North Melbourne members before his return coaching.
- Hawthorn ruckman Max Lynch calls it quits due to concussion
- Max Gawn expects Brodie Grundy will return to Demons AFL team
- Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn announces retirement
Alastair Clarkson has addressed the challenging circumstances leading to his shock decision to take time out of the game.
In a letter to members before his return to the coach’s box this week against Melbourne, Clarkson spoke of how difficult it was for him to get off the “football treadmill” and seek help for his declining physical and mental health.
Alastair Clarkson returns to coaching this week against Melbourne after 10 games off.Credit: AFL Photos
Clarkson missed 10 games as head coach after announcing he would take indefinite leave due to the huge toll taken on him by the inquiry into historical allegations of racism at Hawthorn.
An investigation by an independent AFL panel made no findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt of mistreating First Nation players. The three have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Clarkson and his wife Caryn thanked interim coach Brett Ratten for taking over the reins and the Kangaroos for their “empathy, compassion, support and patience”.
“The time away from the club has been difficult but imperative,” Clarkson wrote. “Stepping aside was challenging, isolating, confronting and even a little embarrassing. I’ve now come to realise that nothing is embarrassing when it comes to addressing your physical and mental wellbeing.
“Caryn and I were getting warning signals regarding my physical and mental wellbeing on numerous occasions, and May 17 was the day of realisation that I could only invest in my family, my club and my community if I got myself back to full health.”
The Kangaroos, with just two wins this year, are on track for another bottom-two finish after losing 17 games in a row, the most recent defeat coming against the last-placed West Coast.
“The North Melbourne Football Club has confronted many hurdles in its existence. Our members and supporters have consistently maintained faith in tough times and found a way to rise above these challenges,” Clarkson wrote.
“As a teenager, North Melbourne was there for me through adversity, where John Kennedy snr, Denis Pagan, Laurie Dwyer, Greg Miller and Ron Joseph gave me hope, ambition and optimism.
“That care has been extended to me again in these past three months and I am forever grateful for the unwavering support I have received from North Melbourne, my family and friends.
“I’ve watched closely how Ratts and the boys have fared in recent weeks. Although the wins haven’t been forthcoming, we’ve taken steps forward in a number of areas. I’m really looking forward to coming back in and building on the work the players and the footy department have done in my absence.”
- Andrew Wu
Young Hawk retires due to concussion
Hawthorn ruckman Max Lynch has announced his retirement from the game at the age of 24 due to concussion.
Lynch made the call after the AFL’s Independent Medical Concussion Panel recommended he stop taking part in contact sport to minimise the risk of more injuries and damage. He informed teammates of his decision on Tuesday.
Max Lynch has retired from football to avoid any risk of future damage due to concussion.Credit: Getty Images
Lynch played the last of his 11 games in round six this year against Adelaide, and has been in regular consultation with the Hawks’ medical team, the club said. He missed seven matches last year due to concussion after crossing over from Collingwood in the 2021 trade period.
The AFL website reported in April after the injury against the Crows that it was Lynch’s ninth concussion. The ruckman joins Brisbane pair Justin Clarke and Jack Frost, and West Coast’s Daniel Venables among a list of young players forced out of the game prematurely due to head injuries.
“This definitely isn’t how I wanted my career to come to an end, but I accept the decision and know it is the right one for my future,” Lynch said.
“I want to thank the club for its support throughout the entire process, to have all of my teammates and coaches behind me has helped me immensely through this challenging period of my life.”
Lynch has joined the coaching staff of the Hawks’ AFLW team as a development coach.
“Since entering the long-term injury list, Max has worked closely with out [sic] medical team to return to full cognitive baseline following his most recent concussion. This decision is to reduce any risk of future injuries that could change this situation,” said Hawthorn’s general manager of football Rob McCartney.
“What I have been most impressed by is the resilience he has shown with the challenges that have been put in front of him.
“He is a much-loved member of the Hawthorn family, a great teammate and even better person.
“We will continue to support Max in any way we can as he embarks on the next phase of his life and career off the field.”
Lynch’s retirement comes with Port Adelaide under investigation from the league over the club’s management of Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones after the pair collided in a heavy clash on Saturday night.
Jones passed a SCAT5 concussion test only to be subbed out with a migraine, while Aliir played out the game without having had the test.
The pair were placed in concussion protocols on Monday after both presented with concussion symptoms.
- Andrew Wu
Gawns backs Grundy for recall
Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn has backed teammate Brodie Grundy to force his way back into the Demons’ line-up despite the outstanding performance of the Demons’ forward line on Sunday.
For the moment, Melbourne has decided it does not have enough room in its team for both Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn. But skipper Gawn believes that will change before the Demons complete their season.Credit: AFL Photos
Gawn has been in brilliant form playing solo in the ruck since the Demons dropped Grundy before round 18. The skipper has produced best-on-ground performances in each of the past three rounds.
On Sunday against Richmond, Gawn had 28 disposals, 40 hit-outs, 11 clearances and 10 score involvements.
Grundy has played two VFL games since being dropped, spending time inside forward 50 metres and in the ruck, and is struggling to find a way back into the team as Harrison Petty, Jacob van Rooyen and Jake Melksham combined to kick 14 goals against the Tigers.
However, Gawn said it would be foolish for anyone to write a player of Grundy’s ability off with four rounds and finals remaining in the season.
“He is an incredible player and incredible players make their way back into the team,” Gawn said.
Grundy spent time on the ball in Casey’s one-point loss to Williamstown on Sunday and did not kick a goal.
“I’m still all in. I’ll play my role currently because that’s what I’ve been told to do,” Gawn said.
“He [Grundy] has got a few things to work on. I’ve got a few things to work on as well.
Max Gawn has been outstanding in the past three games but he has not given up on Brodie Grundy returningCredit: AFL Photos
“Who knows how it’s gonna play out in the next couple weeks. Obviously today, [the forward mix] worked but next week it might not.”
Gawn has played 90 per cent of game time in the ruck in the past three rounds after spending most of the first half of the season sharing the ruck responsibilities pretty evenly with Grundy, as both also spent time forward. On Sunday, van Rooyen played in the ruck when Gawn needed a rest.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin said the club needed to look after Gawn as his workload was high, and the club was conscious of keeping him fresh ahead of finals.
“He’s carrying a huge load for us,” Goodwin said. “He’s a bit old, Maxy. We’ll keep looking after him.”
However, Gawn admitted he relished the heavy workload in games and was motivated by the one-on-one ruck battle.
Goodwin said he was not closing the door on any option, praising Grundy for his improvement in match-play last week and his attitude since being demoted.
“Brodie has embraced the opportunity to make this combination great. It has been good, but we want to make it great, and he will continue to do that,” Goodwin said.
Grundy, a dual All-Australian, is contracted with Melbourne until 2027, but his future will be a subject of debate at the end of the season if he is not able to force his way back into the team.
- Peter Ryan
Eagle Hurn calls time
West Coast’s games record holder Shannon Hurn will wind up his decorated 18-year AFL career at the end of the season.
Captain of the Eagles’ 2018 premiership, the 35-year-old is aiming to bow out in the club’s final game of the season against Adelaide at Optus Stadium in round 24.
Hurn told teammates of his decision on Tuesday. He is the only player in West Coast’s 35-year history to play more than 300 games.
“I love playing the game and I know I’m really going to miss it,” said Hurn, who has played 332 games.
Shannon Hurn is the only West Coast Eagles player to ever clock up more than 300 AFL games.Credit: Getty
“But I also know the time is right. People have told me that I would know when this moment arrived and it’s here.
“Unfortunately, you can’t go on forever and it’s time for me to step away.
“I feel very lucky to have played for as long as I have, always wanting to contribute to the team, but ultimately the game does catch up with you - especially at 35.”
Hurn was All-Australian in the Eagles’ 2018 premiership campaign, and backed it up with a second blazer in 2019 when he was named vice-captain of the team.
His retirement starts what is expected to be an off-season of change at West Coast as they seem destined to collect just the second wooden spoon in club history.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson, who played 306 games for North Melbourne, believed Hurn was one of the best leaders he had seen in the AFL.
“The first thing you want from your leaders is to play well, and there weren’t many times in his career when ‘Bunga’ [Hurn] didn’t do that,” Simpson said.
“He is one of only three premiership captains in the history of the club and that honour is not gifted to anyone.”
- AAP
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