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

[Sticksphat]

3 families that didn’t say anything to other indigenous players or anyone in the senior leadership group?

Yeah, hard to believe a draftee didn't complain to the captain about the coach.

 

[Wild Bill]

Yes what happened at Hawthorn is Hawthorn's responsibility, however we have a responsibility and a duty of care to our players and staff and can not knowingly allow Clarkson to coach if these allegations are substantiated.

What occurred at Hawthorn is now a very very serious issue for North Melbourne.

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If racism is proven at the Hawks - its the Hawks issue.

Zero chance anyone at the club knew of these allegations before hiring Clarko - who may end up completely cleared of any wrong doing.

I don't want opposition riding in on their high horse telling me something I already know.

It like me posting in the *ess thread "hey guys I know your players doped - but that doesn't make all *ess supporters drug addicts"

 

[Devington]

Decent statement. Basically saying this is Hawthorns mess not ours and Clarko is just one piece of it, and as such he's ok with pressing pause while he deals with it. The obviously unsaid part is that it may never resume depending on what happens.

 

[My Left Foote]

"He will delay the start of his tenure".

After some pretty direct conversations between Clarkson & Hood today, that's the language she's signed off on.

Yep, says a lot about where we stand on this as a club.

 

[King Corey]

Handled fine by the club.

 

[shinboner magic]

Sad day for the club and more importantly football
Really can’t see how Clarksons position can be saved even if he is found not guilty- mud sticks.

And to those laying in the boots to the club/hood for not doing enough due diligence - were they suppose to go interview every person that has played under clarko.
They probably spoke to players that spent more than a couple of years under him.

Stick fat brethren

 

[Patchterrier]

oh, come on. North Melbourne survives everything. We will draft and trade and keep going.

What an awful day and thinking about all of those impacted.

More grateful than ever that we are in such a strong position in every other regard - we have record members, money in the bank, secure sponsors, Arden St precinct, future fund etc.

It is this business stability that gives us security and reduces our vulnerability when challenges arise - this is going to be difficult for our club to navigate, no question, though imagine how much worse it would be if we were in debt and lowest members etc.

Not only would be be working to solve this issue and possibly look for a new coach - we would also be holding off the critics wanting us to go to Tassie / Gold Coast or to fold etc. A small mercy in an otherwise truly awful day that is much bigger than football.

I can't see how Clarkson survives and I'd expect the club to make a statement today.

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[roomagic1984]

Surely that the suggestion of having an abortion would have come from after the player expressed concerns on knocking up their partner at a young age.
Surely..

 

[Tas]

It is also interesting that this "investigation" didn't speak to either Clarkson or Fagan about the allegations.

 

[Devington]

Sad day for the club and more importantly football
Really can’t see how Clarksons position can be saved even if he is found not guilty- mud sticks.

I can definitely see situations where he continues coaching with us, but you're right that his reputation has taken a permanent mark. That's basically the best case scenario too.

 

[Psicosis]

If you all don’t think that Hood had him in a room today and grilled him on every detail, you are kidding yourselves.

 

[benbanjo]

I don't know what kind of white you are, but speaking as the lefty vegan atheist kind, if you're someone's boss (i.e. you hold the keys to their livelihood) and you pressure them into making personal decisions about their body with the implicit threat of termination hanging over them, you cannot be trusted in a position of authority. I am completely pro-abortion if that's the person's choice, this is not one of those situations. Pressuring or forcing someone into an abortion they don't want is as bad as forcing someone to carry a baby to term that they don't want.

Rocks in ya head

 

[Tas]

clarko would have given fair assurances to have that messaging approved

There would be a legal army involved with everyone from 10:30am onwards, nothing is being said without lawyers ticking it off.

 

[Merlin007]

The only statement possible

 

[Cyber_punk]

Surely that the suggestion of having an abortion would have come from after the player expressed concerns on knocking up their partner at a young age.
Surely..

This did cross my mind too. If it was said are we sure it wasn't out of genuine fatherly-type concern to an 18yo (albeit admittedly ignorance on Indigenous views toward abortion)? Not to say it was appropriate to say, but I doubt the intent was as sinister as is being made out. We'll know soon.

 

[krakouers]

There would be a legal army involved with everyone from 10:30am onwards, nothing is being said without lawyers ticking it off.

If they only started at 10:30 am, sack the board

 

[trooroo4life]

The statement is fine.

Allow proper process now and allow all parties accused to have right of reply in what will hopefully be a proper and thorough investigation ran by the afl.

 

[czero]

Number of Alf references within the past week:
View attachment 1514287
Suck it other shows

 

[Makeshift Park]

I’d be very shocked, in particular the ABC legal team signing off on release of that article without proof

I don't think there would be any smoking gun in these cases.
We're talking about accounts of impromptu meetings from around a decade ago.
You have six people (three former players and their partners) describing a single repeated pattern of coercive behaviour.
That's a pretty high editorial bar for publication.

 

[Roosurgence]

What a terrible day for everyone involved. I'm devastated like most of you all. My heart goes out to all players/family members and anyone else who've been impacted. I read the article this morning and have since spent all day just trying to make sense of it all. My mind is still just so confused.

I went over to the Hawks board to have a quick read and stumbled upon a post from StingBitten who I hope doesn't mind me re-posting here, and whilst nothing that is or will be said today will clarify absolutely everything about this situation, the post did help in developing my understanding of where both sides were probably coming from. I definitely recommend giving it a read:

That is an awesome post. It really gives some great insight.

I can’t comment in this particular situation, but it really highlights cultural differences and shows that what one party construes as a sound solution is not necessarily best for the other party.

What’s the saying, good intentions are not always received well.

 

[krakouers]

I don't think there would be any smoking gun in these cases.
We're talking about accounts of impromptu meetings from around a decade ago.
You have six people (three former players and their partners) describing a single repeated pattern of coercive behaviour.
That's a pretty high editorial bar for publication.

It was wrong of me to put proof, it should have been “without sufficient evidence to support”

 

[kool kangas]

Very interesting from the club...Not saying he is gone yet...

Alastair was due to commence work with North Melbourne on November 1 however he will delay the start of his tenure to allow time to fully participate in the investigation.

 

[sruss]

We are not involved though... It didn't happen at North.

We’re not responsible, but we are involved.

 

[franjon]

I've read the ABC article, it seems kind of weird. You mean Clarkson and Fagan went to an 18 year old kid and told him to leave his partner and abort his child and he didn't go to Burgoyne or Hodge or any other leader for help or advice? You just went straight to your partner and told her to abort?

This sounds a bit suss.

It seems odd.

 

[krakouers]

Replaced your orangutan there Ligma