Hawthorn’s succession plan announcement took Jordan Lewis by surprise.
The four-time premiership Hawk admits he didn’t see the handover coming, particularly the aspect of Alastair Clarkson bowing out not fully on his terms.
Lewis’ former teammate Sam Mitchell will take the reins from Clarkson after the 2022 season which has attracted plenty of criticism from pundits and club greats alike.
Lewis is well-placed to comment on the situation, saying the way it came about surprised him the most.
“It absolutely came as a shock,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think what Hawthorn has always done is taken the emotion out of the decision, whether that be players, whether it be coaches, whether it be assistant coaches or even administration.
“That has been a consistent theme through the last 10 to 15 years. If you look back at sides that haven’t handled it well, it is all around emotion. How do you actually put that to one side and make the decisions that may be right or wrong for the club - only time will tell - but it was a big call.
“I was as surprised as everyone in the footy world to hear they had a conversation 10 days or two weeks ago. For them to keep that quiet in this day and age where things tend to leak out and then come to the decision.
“I think all along we’ve said Alastair Clarkson is one of the greatest coaches to ever coach the game, it will be his decision when he wants to leave Hawthorn.
“I didn’t expect it would be taken out of his hands. That for me was a big surprise.”
Lewis also feels that the Hawks might have made the move after fearing Mitchell could have been lost to a rival club.
“Speaking to Sam and the people around him, he was ready to coach,” he added.
“He felt he was ready to take the next step. If it was the case that Alastair was going to sign a contract extension then he would have sought opportunities somewhere else.
“Whether that be the Collingwood job or another assistant coach position somewhere else to broaden his skill level.
“The decision and the Collingwood job that was up for grabs and potentially him leaving at the end of the season may have fast-tracked their decision making.”
Can the succession plan work?
Clarkson has been set in his ways for some time and Mitchell is still learning his craft, so how will the pair operate together?
Lewis added: “Is it harder for someone to give up total control that you’ve had control for the last 20 years or is it harder to be Sam Mitchell to try and fast-track what would be the next 18 months in terms of recruitment, the way they play. Where does the line get drawn?
“What are we waiting for? Are we wasting 18 months with Sam Mitchell coaching Box Hill and not having a big say on how the Hawks play?
“I think he’ll have a big say on how they recruit. I think that’s 70 per cent of the job of being a really good coach, you’ve got to get the players in, you’ve got to have the cattle.
“Then it’s about how do you shape these players.
“It’s not going to be smooth sailing, no one’s ever is. It will have to be give and take, but I don’t know where that line will be drawn.”
Clarkson, who has won four flags in charge of the Hawks, will finish up at the end of the 2022 season after 18 years at the helm.