HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has compared the "hysteria" surrounding captain Ben Stratton's controversial pinching tactics with that of the 'Sandpaper-gate' cheating scandal that last year engulfed the Australian Test cricket team, saying that such methods have been employed for "a long, long period of time".

Clarkson conceded that although Stratton's pinching and stomping of opponents in the loss to Essendon on Friday night had been "outside the rules of the game and untoward" - and consequently he would face the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night - they were "minor" incidents that didn't "marry up" with the level of hysteria they had generated.

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He feared Stratton had been subjected to "a significant case of trial by media".

"He was obviously remorseful for his actions. He's a player that plays on the edge," Clarkson told AFL 360 on Monday night.

He compared the incident to the cricket debacle in South Africa last year where Australians Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned for ball tampering.

"It's a little bit like Sandpaper-gate, though, in a sense. This sort of stuff, although we don't like it, has been going on in the game for a long, long period of time, and there's all sorts of tactics that players use to try to put their opponents off," Clarkson said.

"Is this outside the rules of the game and untoward? Of course it was. Ben put his hand up (and) acknowledged that … and he throws himself to the mercy of (the Tribunal) system."

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The Hawks coach believed the incidents had been amplified by the Friday night spotlight.

"I'm bewildered, in a sense, by just how significant the discussion becomes on it … In terms of the severity of things that have happened on the football field, jeez, I think this is minor," he said.

"I've been around footy a long time (and) if that's the worst thing that's happened on a footy field …

"I can't marry up the hysteria with the actual event."

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Clarkson said that if post-game conversations between Stratton and Orazio Fantasia, and also an in-game exchange with an umpire, were aired during the Tribunal hearing it would show that Stratton's conduct "perhaps wasn't as serious as what's been portrayed over the television sets over the last two or three days".

He also questioned the integrity of the Tribunal system given AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder told ABC radio on Saturday that Stratton's antics were "a bad look … so hopefully it will get dealt with properly".

"We're bound by the Tribunal system and so everyone in the game, according to its integrity, should now be staying quiet until the Tribunal can run its course … We've got the AFL chief in Richard making comment on the Saturday about a tribunal (case)," Clarkson said.

"We're not allowed to comment.

"I'm not angry about it. It's just interesting that if the Tribunal system is set in place and key stakeholders of the game – whether it's coaches, whether it's CEOs, presidents or administrators of the AFL, commission chairman – then I think it's appropriate that we all abide by what the code is and that is let the Tribunal run its course.

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"Unfortunately, given of the hysteria of this, it's going to be a significant case of trial by media.

"It's very, very difficult for the governing body to have their views put forward before the actual Tribunal takes place. I don't think that's particularly fair."

Fantasia was left with bruising and welts on the back of his left arm. Picture: Channel Seven

Meanwhile, Clarkson said he expected former skipper Jarryd Roughead to work his way back into the Hawks' line-up at some point. In any case, there was also a possibility he would be given a farewell game.

"It depends on the season. I think there's sentiment involved in footy. If it's an appropriate time and all the stars are aligned that way there's a chance it could happen," he said.

"We'd (have to weigh up) where's our season at? Who's he going to be replacing in the side to give him that game? Is it appropriate? Does he want to do it? What time of the season is it? Who are you playing against? Is it at the MCG or down in Tassie?

"I'd actually prefer 'Roughy' to actually finish his career in the seniors on (his) terms. I still think there's every chance he'll do that."

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