Coach Alastair Clarkson III - new NMFC senior coach until at least end 2027 - NMFC board approved AC to start 1/11 amid ongoing HFC racism investigation

[Hojuman]

I must say, I am incredibly impressed by how well the vast majority of your board is responding to what are devastating and heart-breaking allegations. I just think you guys are showing a lot of class for what it's worth. Horrible situation.

We banter with you lot with vigour in the *Sympathy thread Lance. Thoughts appreciated and today goes alot deeper than the footy.

 

[The acurate one]

You lads think there's anything in Jed not being offered a new contract? I feel like he was more than good enough to be offered one.

Not every one on BF NMFC would agree with you, short answer is no.

 

[Ashley B]

Oh FFS, what's Brad Scott doing now? We could apologise I suppose, say we were only joking.

Yes hey Brad hope I wasn’t out of line with your finished barb

 

[gomfs]

Floored. No one involved should be permitted to look after the welfare of young indigenous people again.

I would say NO young people

 

[Roobunny]

I feel like I have both no words, and 17 billion of them running around my head.

I believe this report. I wish I didn’t because it’s awful to read these stories and it should never have happened.

My belief is that Clarkson cannot stay on. I cannot respect him as a club leader unless this is somehow categorically proven incorrect - which is something I don’t believe possible.

North Melbourne has always been about heart and soul to me, and to continue his tenure would be selling our soul for a good coach. We didn’t sell our soul to keep the greatest player in the comp in Wayne Carey, I would be horrified if we did it for Clarkson.

 

[justroyal]

You lads think there's anything in Jed not being offered a new contract? I feel like he was more than good enough to be offered one.

I rate Jed on his intensity but you’d have to ask yourself, how many clubs would be dying to have him on their list?

 

[BlueandWhiteElf]

Due process, and a proper investigation are needed, and my ultimate judgment is reserved until further notice! But let me tell you - as a North supporter, I am gutted by the allegations. As a father, I am angered by the allegations. As a human being, I am saddened by the allegations. My thoughts are with Indigenous people today. I know it's been a hard week for different reasons. If you follow the footy, then this stuff is really distressing. Hang tough! North Melbourne people have your back.

 

[King Corey]

Come on man you're too intelligent for this. In what universe is something like this completely fabricated? A journalist with a history of rigorous and accurate investigative work, published by the ABC, in a country with the most stringent defamation laws in the world...there is some wriggle room for exactly what happened but if seriously...something has happened here, and whatever it is is definitely unsavoury.

The following is NOT an assessment of the truthfulness of the allegations.

But could someone get the wrong idea, embelished things, made them up or been deluded etc when giving an account to an investigator?

Could they do this vindictively, naively or even have mental health issues that influenced them telling untruths?

Now of course this may NOT have been what happened, but those are realistic possibilities - which means that have to be considered.

People are people. Truth is interpretative at the best of times and outright manipulated at others.

First hand I've seen bullied employees forced out of organisations with full HR (and "PR") blessing. Equally I've seen a group of dodgy employees collude to take their employer to tribunal for a vague (to be kind) interpretation of unfair treatment, winning themselves a pretty decent payout in the process.

Nobody in humanity carries some above reproach, truth verified certificate that makes their word "the" word. Not even a journalist.

 

[King Corey]

Remember someone posting they had a feeling of unease around al Clarko? And suggested we get the Lyon on the line.

oh well

travelli

 

[domiroo]

Gee lots of gloating flogs on Twitter now . It’s as if it happened at North. I’d hate to be on trial with these people in a jury .

 

[Farthers]

Remember someone posting they had a feeling of unease around al Clarko? And suggested we get the Lyon on the line.

oh well

Caro said she had a sense of foreboding.

 

[Bazzbot13]

Sonja Hood works within the public services sector as a CEO of Community Hubs does she not? I would like to think she is well equipped to handle this issue with an large amount of knowledge and understanding.

 

[danj]

I’ll be ****ed the Hawthorn curse strikes Norrh again

 

[WestCoast05]

Hi guys. Long time reader, first time poster.

I could think of far worse options.

Tbh I thought Essendon were mad not to properly snatch him.

 

[ohh_v]

Even if a thorough investigation somehow proves any of this to be false (I don’t know how this would be possible nor do I think they are untrue), the damage has been done and this will stick.

Absolutely disgusted by what I’ve read and really feel for the players and families.

There’s no way that I can see that Clarko stays on with us.

 

[Le Grille]

I could think of far worse options.

Tbh I thought Essendon were mad not to properly snatch him.

Nup

 

[Merlin007]

Let’s not bring back the 1960s here please. No way would this stay quiet if any of it were true. This is a complete shambles of an attempt by Hawthorn to appear clean while trying to tarnish their former employees. But nothing will be proven and I hope if that’s the case, this so called great reporter will be made accountable.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

But it didn't stay quiet - we're here today because Cyril Rioli and his wife took a public stand in April explaining why they would have nothing to do with Hawthorn FC, after which Hawthorn initiated the report which has landed in the public realm today

 

[Engimal v3]

I must say, I am incredibly impressed by how well the vast majority of your board is responding to what are devastating and heart-breaking allegations. I just think you guys are showing a lot of class for what it's worth. Horrible situation.

Cheers, Essendon can suck my arse

 

[Cool Kangas]

Oh FFS, what's Brad Scott doing now? We could apologise I suppose, say we were only joking.

Thanks for making me laugh. I’m so over footy or anything footy related. I’m too invested. The anticipated upward trajectory we thought we were gonna have was fun while it lasted.

 

[Caracas]

One thing is for certain, Sonja is getting ample opportunity to prove her mettle. Talk about having to step up to the plate!


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[DesertRoo]

Seriously, if this is coming from Said listed player, a quick google search suggests I am not believing a ******* word from his mouth.

See I believe it,
And with the people involved I think the afl is about to get the big broom out.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

I rate Jed on his intensity but you’d have to ask yourself, how many clubs would be dying to have him on their list?

Tbh, he's the sort we need!

 

[The acurate one]

travelli

**** the fish I said I had a bad feeling, trust ya gut I tells ya's.


What did he say- could be very interesting.

 

[blackshadow]

Come on man you're too intelligent for this. In what universe is something like this completely fabricated? A journalist with a history of rigorous and accurate investigative work, published by the ABC, in a country with the most stringent defamation laws in the world...there is some wriggle room for exactly what happened but if seriously...something has happened here, and whatever it is is definitely unsavoury.

Nothing to suggest that a defamation case would happen.

Based on what’s been published the journalist and ABC are only reporting what they’ve been told so trying to mount a defamation case against them would be very problematic even if the allegations are untrue. If the journalist/ABC reported in good faith then no case.

As for those who’ve made the allegations they were done under the condition of anonymity so it becomes a considerable hurdle to identify them and even if they were identified mounting a defamation case is a very expensive undertaking especially if the defendants don’t have the money for a payout and to cover costs if the defamation case was successful.

 

[Devington]

What a sad and disturbing article. On face value it's outright horrific. Reading this thread and ruminating over the article I'm just left with a feeling of profound sadness and unease.

I won't say that things don't add up, but there are a lot of things that need, at minimum, clarifying.

Did the review only interview the players?
Did anyone look into whether there are similar allegations as to that type of heavy handedness, for lack of a better term, used on non indigenous players?
Why is the AFL saying the media report today contained things not in the official report?
Did Jackson get these details from the report or are they completely separate from it?

I also find it so hard to fathom how there has never, as far as I know, been a single rumour of something like this. Of anything even near to this. I'm not sure what to think. About the only thing I know is that Clarko needs to, and will, stand down for at least the moment.

What a gut punch. For us, but mostly for the sport and community at large.