Clarkson opens up about 'publicly humilating' Kangaroos axing

Kangaroos president Sonja Hood and football boss Todd Viney were brutally honest at their media conference in explaining why Clarkson was sacked with a year to go on his contract. Clarkson, a four-time premiership coach at Hawthorn, said his family felt insulted by Hood and Viney's appearance in front of reporters. "We're just shocked, and we just thought we were owed a little bit of respect in being informed and warned," Clarkson told The Age. "Instead, they chose to dance on my grave like this." Clarkson, who coached the Kangaroos for four seasons, added: "We all feel … so publicly humiliated." He rejected suggestions his relationships with players and staff had deteriorated. "Is that all my fault, is it?" Clarkson said. "My mantra has never changed, and that has been to have care and empathy to help players chase their dream. "I feel like my life's shot." Premiership coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson have been floated as options to take over from Clarkson, due to their stature as champion former Kangaroos players. But after watching first-time coaches Steven King and Josh Fraser succeed this year, the Kangaroos could be inclined to find a highly rated assistant. Jaymie Graham (Fremantle), Corey Enright (St Kilda) and James Kelly (Geelong) were in contention for the Carlton job, before Fraser's results as interim coach made him the only choice for the Blues.