Clarkson says he will definitely take next season off rather than going “flat out” again in the AFL after confirming he spoke to new Blues chief executive Brian Cook at the weekend.

Former Brisbane senior coach and current Port Adelaide assistant Michael Voss is now the short-priced favourite to take over at Carlton.

I need a spell – I’ve only got two gears, that’s flat-out or stop,” Clarkson told AFL360 on Monday night.

“I’m just not ready to go flat-out again right now.”

The embattled Blues pulled off a major coup on Friday night when they lured Cook, the highly respected former Geelong and West Coast chief executive, to take over the role.

That immediately ramped up speculation again that the Blues could yet land Clarkson.

Clarkson admitted there was a strong lure to put his hand up to take over at Carlton or Collingwood, who have appointed Craig McRae.

But it was not strong enough and Clarkson said he has three objectives next year – to commit more to family and friends, hopefully study abroad and put something back into the game by lending his expertise to the Tasmanian push for their own AFL team.

– with AAP