Further allegations have been made against Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and others at the Hawthorn Football Club following the club’s reporting into Cultural Safety Of Past and Present Indigenous Players and Staff.
Following initial reports that Indigenous players were asked to tell the partners to terminate pregnancies, the Herald Sun has revealed leaked elements of the report, suggesting the club was run like the “Russian Mafia”.
The report claims that the club used “bullying and intimidation” against Indigenous players and their partners.
Both Clarkson and Fagan have categorically denied any wrongdoing and have appointed their own legal counsels. Both have stepped aside from their current roles as proceedings play out.
Veteran AFL reporter Damian Barrett does not expect the current North Melbourne and Brisbane coaches to be at the helm come Round 1 as this story continues to evolve.
“I just can’t see this being wrapped up in a timeframe that suits anyone and it does impact 2023 already, no doubt,” Barrett told AFL Trade Radio.
“It’s not weeks and months. I was surprised when Gillon (McLachlan) said there was a hope to wrap it up in six to eight weeks.
“You can’t wrap it up with the magnitude of allegation made. It’s not a stretch to say these are the most serious allegations ever made about any person in the AFL system.
“Obviously, that being the case, the people that have had these claims made against them need and deserve the right to reply. The need and deserve the right to full legal and natural justice.
“None of that is ever done in a quick timeframe.
“What that means for season resumption, those coaches will not be there for that, that’s already a given.
“At this early stage anyway, I don’t see them being there Round 1 next year.
“I can’t see how it’s going to be finalised. These allegations cannot be delt with in a half hour court room session, and there’s going to be denials. You’ve got King’s Counsel involved at every level now.
“Fagan and Clarkson have the same management group, but they’ve gone down separate legal paths.
“There’s going to be reach to other people at other footy clubs. Mark Evans was at Hawthorn at the time, he’s now CEO of Gold Coast, he too is in this story. He needs his time and due process attached to his role.
“We’ve got an AFL Commissioner in Andrew Newbold who was president of Hawthorn at the time in question who has now stood himself down.
“I’m not even getting into who’s right, who’s guilty, who’s not. There’s going to be murkiness in all of that, but everyone needs to have their voices heard in this.”
Barrett expects North Melbourne and Brisbane to name interim coaches given the situation.
“I feel it’s pretty soon (they’ll make those calls) and you can make those decisions on an interim capacity and you can just add that it’s pending knowing more and if Fagan and Clarkson can return,” he added.
Listen to the full chat with Damian Barrett below