The situation at Fremantle continues to fester around a harassment claim and pay out made to a former employee after she made a complaint against senior coach Ross Lyon.
This morning’s Herald Sun reports a secret video recording exists of what transpired on the night.
It follows a level of detail in Saturday’s Herald Sun that gave serious context around what is alleged to have happened at the Christmas party and what has taken place in the aftermath both in regard to the actions of the Dockers and the AFL.
It left a clear picture that the victim is far from satisfied and supported in the manner that had previously been suggested.
On Sunday in The Age published a piece which began: "The AFL insists it was not party to the financial settlement reached with the woman at the centre of the Ross Lyon harassment claim, with the money instead being paid as a result of a Workcover claim."
Our program team has been in contact with both Work Cover and Work Safe – the statutory bodies for such matters in Western Australia.
A spokesperson for Work Safe WA said they had no information regarding the reports involving the Fremantle Football Club and one of its employees.
That spokesperson adding a senior inspector confirmed Work Safe had not received any complaint consistent with the reporting.
We were told Work Cover WA contacted Work Safe once these reports began to surface to see if they had any information.
Work Safe WA informed Work Cover WA they had no record of a complaint.
A spokesperson for Work Cover WA provided this statement to our program: "WorkCover WA has no record of any complaint relating to the matters raised in the news articles."
So the two bodies in Western Australian that would’ve dealt with a work place complaint and any subsequent pay out say no such case has been made.
We have sought clarity from the AFL on this and an AFL spokesperson said:
The understanding is a legal claim for workers compensation was made to the club. Lawyers for the club and lawyers for the complainant negotiated a settlement. No external complaint was filed.
Listen to Gerard's comments on the situation below: