As he makes his way back to the team hotel, the Hawks coach is captured in a selfie video being harassed.
After initially trying to push the fan away Clarkson lashes out and appears to grab the man by the throat.
Vision of the incident has been released courtesy of Channel 9 News, watch it here:
The moment @HawthornFC coach Alastair Clarkson loses his cool - punching a fan after last night's loss. #9News https://t.co/Cykruh2YAi
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) April 26, 2015Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox described the incident as unfortunate, but insisted that Clarkson was being harassed by the intoxicated fan prior to his reaction.
“He politely declined to be photographed and videoed and the boys just got in his face and tried to get Clarko into the hotel and it was one of those issues that got a little bit ugly,” Fox said.
“We’ve spoken to the AFL and one of the issues is obviously getting back to the hotel safely.
“These guys caused some grief with other guests after Clarko had left as well so I watched it all unfold.
That port supporter should be the one to get a penalty not Clarko. What does he expect? What an absolute peanut of a bloke!!
— Tex Walker (@texwalker13) April 26, 2015Clarko innocent! I know because I was with him. He politely declined photo with 3 rowdy drunks. They wouldn't take no for an answer.
— Chris Fagan (@chrisf_h) April 26, 2015