Hawthorn master coach Alastair Clarkson has signed a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until at least the end of 2022.
The Hawks announced the news at their best and fairest presentation on Saturday night.
Should the 50-year-old see out the contract it will take him into his 18th year in the Hawks top job.
Clarko signs on 'til 2022 📝🤗#ALWAYS pic.twitter.com/yTqGcEalo1
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) October 6, 2018
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Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves lauded the coach in a statement.
“Alastair’s re-signing is a credit to the incredible coach and person that he is and is a reflection of the stability and ambition of our club,” Reeves said.
“His passion, loyalty and fierce competitiveness continues to drive our entire football club in pursuit of our 14th premiership.
"We know Alastair is the right person to help us achieve further success and we are very fortunate to have him continue his career with the Hawks."
Clarkson was handed the reins at Hawthorn ahead of the 2005 season, with the side coming off the back of a 15th-placed finish.
He has since won four flags including three in a row from 2013-2015, as well as revolutionising the way the game is played, with a particular focus on team defence.
The term 'Clarko's cluster' was coined to describe the zone that oppositions would attempt to navigate when bringing the ball out of their defence against Hawthorn.
The last couple of seasons has seen Clarkson oversee a mini rebuild at the club, shifting some club legends out and blooding plenty of talented youngsters.
Hawthorn finished a surprising fourth in 2018 before going out of the finals in straight sets.
At 329, Clarkson already sits atop the most games coached list for the Hawks and he looks set to extend that well beyond the 400 mark if he sees out the new deal.
