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Hawthorn coach blasted for contentious umpiring comments

Pictured here, AFL journalist Caroline Wilson and Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.
Caroline Wilson says the AFL should come down hard on Alastair Clarkson. Pic: Ch9

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has denied any wrongdoing but there are calls for the AFL to come down hard on him for seemingly questioning the standard of the game's umpires.

Clarkson has denied disrespecting the officials during Hawthorn's fourth-straight defeat, with the AFL set to caution the four-time premiership coach.

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In his post-match press conference, a furious Clarkson blasted star Sydney forward Tom Papley for "milking" free kicks after the Swans seven-point victory at the SCG on Saturday.

Clarkson wished umpires paid free kicks to "everyone who is knocked off the ball like (Papley)" and said the 22-13 free-kick count in favour of Sydney was "like an extra player on the ground".

It's not the first time Clarkson has pointed an accusatory finger at umpires - a point veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson was eager to point out on Monday night.

Speaking on Nine's Footy Classified, Wilson went through a rap sheet of Clarkson's run-ins with umpires and the sanctions from his numerous transgressions.

Wilson insisted that it was about time the AFL came down harder on the veteran coach and argued that a fine was not suffice, based on his track record.

“I hope it’s not a suspended fine. I hope they stand up to Alastair Clarkson,” Wilson said.

“The Swans would have made some form of complaint had he not been given some form of please explain.”

Clarkson stirred controversy in 2017 when he was fined $5000 and hit with a $15000 suspended fine for slamming the "disgraceful umpiring” in a post-match press conference.

He was also fined in 2008 for accusing an umpire of playing for the opposition and given a suspended fine for abusing two umpires on a flight back from Perth in 2006.

In 2012, the Hawthorn coach was also suspended for four matches from the South Metro Junior Football League for swearing at officials during his son's game.

Despite Wilson's sentiments and suggestions the AFL will issue a please explain about his latest spray, Clarkson has defended his comments.

Hawks coach denies disrespecting umpires

"I haven't heard from the AFL as yet, but if it is I'll speak to them," Clarkson told Fox Footy's AFL.

"If you listened to my whole press conference it was pretty measured and composed.

"I spoke about swings and roundabouts in terms of free kicks that come and go your way.

"I didn't think I was in any way being disrespectful to either the umpires nor Tom Papley. If anything I'd chose my words differently."

It comes a month after Clarkson caused headlines earlier in the season for saying the state of the game was "dreadful" because of umpiring interpretations of the holding the ball rule.

The 52-year-old said he just gives his view because "people want our opinion".

"I'm quite happy to never do any media, I'm happy to not have an opinion at all," Clarkson said.

'You make comment on what you see and what you think is going to be of benefit to the game from the lens that you look at it through.

"The AFL in their wisdom have got the power and the decision making tools to do what they think is best for the game and they would be very very foolish just to listen to any one person in the game, irrespective of their standing in the game."

with AAP