Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has denied there is any bad blood between he and Alastair Clarkson, describing suggestions that the coach had brushed a handshake from him in the rooms after Sunday's match against Melbourne as media mischief.
Kennett spoke out last week after a run of poor performances from the Hawks, accusing them of being out played and outcoached in an open letter to the club's members. His comments drew the ire of both playing and coaching staff at the club, with skipper Sam Mitchell admitted Kennett's constant criticisms were becoming a distraction.
The Herald-Sun ran a story and picture on Monday morning saying that Clarkson had refused to shake hands with Kennett in the aftermath of Hawthorn's win over Melbourne.
But speaking on SEN, Kennett laughed off any suggestion that there was animosity between he and the coach, saying that the picture on the front page of the paper was a bit of creative photography.
"At no stage did I feel that occurring in the rooms last night," he said. "I think you'll find that's just a take."
"It-s there, it adds spice the mill, it-s a bit unusual that in an election week, it's more important than politics."
Kennett said the relationship between he and the coach was very strong and that there was a strong respect for each other.
"I can-t speak for Alastair, but we-ve almost been working together for five years , we are both very honest with each other, we both respect the time we put into our respective jobs," he said.
"I think we both understand we owe our existence to no-one else but our members. At the end of the day, I'm elected and he's employed, but the people who own us are out 54,000 members."
Kennett also defended his right to criticise his team in a public forum.
"I've spoken to my members before in the same vain and we haven't been performing as we liked. Everyone admitted that. Sunday was a tough game in difficult conditions and the guys dug deep and that puts us back on track," he said,
Kennett said in this week's message to the members that the club was united heading into the finals.
"Much has been said by many in the media since my last letter to you. That-s fine, I can handle that. So can the Club. We are a family, we are a team, we are united, we are proud, and we are honest with each other. Not a bad place for any family to aspire to be," he said.