- He used homophobic language to abuse St Kilda players
- Jeremy Finlayson and Wil Powell also use insults recently
The AFL has suffered another blow of homophobia after it emerged North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has yet to begin any education following his highly offensive slur uttered in a pre-season match more than two months ago.
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson confirmed the shocking event on Channel Nine. Ranked football on Monday night.
“(Alastair) Clarkson hasn’t received any education in this space yet,” Wilson said.
“North says it will be an ‘all-club approach’ in June”.
“Given the severity of the sanctions imposed on the affected players and the outcry against coach Alastair Clarkson, one might expect the educational element of the sanctions to be as swift as it was thorough.”
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson (pictured) is yet to begin any education following his on-field insult uttered in a pre-season match more than two months ago.
Leading AFL journalist Caroline Wilson confirmed the shocking development on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday.
Speaking on 3AW Radio, Wilson called Clarkson a “protected species” and felt the AFL was not tough enough on the Kangaroos coach.
Clarkson was fined $20,000 and given a two-match suspension for a homophobic slur directed at St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster following a high hit on North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin.
The Kangaroos coach reportedly used the word ‘c**k****er’ during an exchange with Webster and fellow Saints defender Dougal Howard.
Wilson’s development on Clarkson comes as Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson received a three-match suspension from the AFL after hitting an Essendon player with a shocking insult during the Gather Round in Adelaide.
And on May 9, Gold Coast Suns defender Wil Powell received a five-match suspension after using the same homophobic slur in the derby against Brisbane.
‘All of the above raises a question. What is more important here, optics or education?’ Wilson said.
She too declared Clarkson a ‘protected species’.
Gold Coast Suns defender Wil Powell recently received a five-match suspension after using a homophobic slur in the derby against Brisbane.
Port Adelaide star Jeremy Finlayson (centre) received a three-match suspension following his comment towards an Essendon player during the Gather Round last month.
“The AFL said the word (Jeremy) Finlayson used was worse than Clarkson’s,” Wilson added.
‘I don’t think that’s an excuse not to suspend Clarkson… Finlayson didn’t have a record either, Alastair had a lot… he seems to be a protective species.
“Clarkson’s apology was (also) watered down…if the AFL were honest with themselves, they would admit they were too soft on him.”
On the field, Clarkson’s men have been devilish this season.
The Kangaroos are still winless in 2024 after nine matches, and in Round 10, they will face in-form Essendon at Marvel Stadium on May 19.
No team has gone winless in a VFL/AFL season since Fitzroy in 1964, when they finished their woeful campaign 0-18.