MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Hawks looks on during the 2017 AFL round 17 match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson is the latest AFL figure to selflessly take a pay cut to support the financial needs of their club, as many look to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four-time premiership coach has offered to take a cut larger than most coaches, with all having agreed to a 20 per cent cut originally, according to The Herald Sun. 

Clarkson's cut is likely to aid Hawthorn's salary by several hundreds of thousands during the AFL's postponement period.

The sacrifice made by Clarkson follows that of Geelong coach Chris Scott, who generously decided to go without pay during the league shutdown to protect the employment of his fellow colleagues.

Scott has been lauded by his decision as financial strains grow across the AFL.

Clarkson urged all Australians to follow the media guidelines set by the nations leaders in self-isolating and protecting families throughout the pandemic.