Alastair Clarkson

[Lazza]

From The Guardian Australia

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome – a condition that inflames the nerves in the spinal cord – after being admitted to hospital on Monday suffering from severe back pain.

The syndrome can prove fatal but is treatable if dealt with swiftly as was the case with Clarkson. The Hawks coach is expected to make a full recovery but the process can take up to two years for some patients. The condition is not contagious.


“Alastair was admitted to hospital last night with back pain, and he has subsequently been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is an autoimmune condition,” said the Hawthorn chief executive, Stuart Fox.

“We’re fortunate that Alastair’s condition has been detected early, and we’re confident he is in the best possible hands under the care of very experienced specialists.

“Our primary concern is for Alastair’s health and a timeline for his return to coaching is not a consideration at this stage.”


Hawthorn's assistant coach, Brendon Bolton, will take charge of the team in Clarkson's absence. Clarkson is expected to stay in hospital for a week.


“Having worked together for six years, Alastair and Brendon share very similar coaching, teaching and management philosophies,” Fox said.

“The club has complete confidence that Brendon can step in temporarily for Alastair for as long as may be required.

[King Malta]

Bloody hell, hope he makes a full recovery!

[3rd degree]

Pretty nasty stuff!

[jackcass]

Remember Wrighty getting it while he was still playing. Can be nasty but hopefully he makes a speedy recovery.

[35forever]

That's a sh*tty condition I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I have a similar autoimmune disorder & the pain it causes can be hardly believable. At least GB can be cured, and I certainly hope it is. Good luck to the guy.

[GreekLunatic]

Good luck to clarkson hope he gets well soon. I actually dont mind clarko

[sixpoints]

Best wishes to him and all the best for a speedy recovery. An autoimmune disease such as GB can knock you for six, so he may be unable to coach for quite some time.
He certainly comes across as a tough bugger, so I hope he can muster his resources and get on top of it.

[stui magpie]

Good luck to him in recovery, that stuff can be nasty.

[think positive]

Not the barre you'd want to get, good luck with the recovery, xxx

[slydog81]

Id like to see the shit n pizz disintegrate but not like this.

Hope he gets better soon.

[Captain_MyCaptain]

Get well Clarko.

[Proud Pies]

hope he recovers soon.

[collie dog]

Mick Malthouse's Dad suffered from the same condition, although in a more advanced stage. He was completely paralysed and in an iron lung for months. Shocking.

Boy the Hawks are having a terrible run of bad luck.

[Flashman]

Feel for him. You don't want to see anyone ill like that and prevented from conducting their lives.

That said he's a bad tempered turd and was a sniping, king hitting arse wipe as a player and he presides over the club that has the cockiest, most arrogant and hypocritical supporters bar none.

His illness doesn't absolve him his faults which are manifest (being a poor coach isn't one of them though, he's the best in the business in my opinion).

[Mugwump]

Bad news, much bigger than football. Hope he gets well soon.