sport news AFL reporter Caroline Wilson slammed for 'disgraceful' take on North ... trends now

Top footy reporter Caroline Wilson has been smashed online after attacking Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson for 'hubris of the worst order' by psyching up his players during Saturday's thrilling one-point win over Fremantle.

Wilson, who has been a vocal critic of Clarkson this year, believed the 54-year-old was carrying on too much on the sidelines - but fans strongly disagreed.

'We've talked about what a great effort it's been by Alastair Clarkson, but he almost became a cropper on Saturday night with this behaviour,' she said on Channel 9's Footy Classified on Monday. 

'Just have a look. This is when they kicked a goal to go 28 points up [with 18 minutes left], high-fiving everyone. Then there's the arms out wide at an umpire's decision with mock exasperation.'

Footage shows Clarkson at his animated best as he high-fived players, gesticulated wildly and mocked umpires.  

But Wilson said he had gone too far.  

'Now the siren has gone and they've won the game, fantastic. Had they lost that game or it be a draw [though], he would've looked a bit foolish,' she said. 

'It was hubris of the worst order ... the Freo players would've seen that; what if you've fired up the opposition.'

Wilson's co-hosts were not in agreeance, with Craig Hutchison saying he thought she had a vendetta for the Kangaroos coach, despite her claiming she is Clarkson's 'greatest-ever supporter'. 

'You've whacked him here all year, now they have two wins and you're still going,' an exasperated Hutchison said, with Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd backing him up, albeit with a more considered, calm tone. 

'That's just supporting your players, Caro,' he said. 

'They [Kangaroos players] were hammered by [previous coach] David Noble, to a point where I think they lost their confidence. 

'I think Clarkson is trying to do this the other way

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