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

[gokangas]

Can't see why the rules would not be the same for all parties. Everyone gives evidence under oath or nobody. Simple really. What I don't understand is the legal aspects of evidence under oath for an enquiry that I would assume has no legal (as in gov or courts) standing. Maybe I am just misreading this part.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Anonymous accusations.

Alleged offenders require to provide testimony under oath, but not accusers.

Seems legit.

 

[gokangas]

How heartening to read that should the oath bit be agreed then that would mean a quicker result - maybe resolved by Christmas. FFS. Lawyers likely to be only winners, as I said.

 

[Fart Cummings]

Because the accused won’t be the only ones cross examined, contrary to the article that suggests Clarkson and Fagan are ‘backed into a corner’

and the clickbait article trying to make out they are pushing them which is insinuating that they are pushing back against it

 

[giantroo]

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has released a statement regarding the Hawks’ treatment of First Nations players.
Here is Jeff Kennett’s full letter to members:

Dear members,

When Hawthorn Football Club selects young men and women to join our playing lists, we do so because they have demonstrated that they have skills that will increase the club’s chances of being successful, or because we recognise potential talent and character that we think we can help them to develop to become premiership players for us.

We don’t select players based on race, colour or religion.

Once on our list they are all equally important to us, and we spend considerable time developing their football skills, encouraging them to undertake studies and gain skills for life after football. Over the journey we have had a number of First Nations players wear the brown and gold.

Chance Bateman

Chance Bateman

Age

43

Ht

175cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.1

4star

K

8.8

3star

HB

6.3

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.1

4star

CL

1.1

3star

No current season stats available

D

18.6

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

7.6

5star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

was our first First Nations player to play 100 games for our club.

Shaun Burgoyne

9

Shaun Burgoyne

Age

42

Ht

186cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.0

4star

K

9.9

4star

HB

8.1

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

3.8

5star

MG

162.7

3star

D

10.0

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

4.4

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

2.6

4star

MG

162.7

3star

D

6.2

2star

K

3.2

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

1.2

2star

T

1.6

4star

recently finished his career with us having played over 400 AFL games.

Lance Franklin has now kicked 1,000 goals with us and Sydney.

Cyril Rioli could turn on a sixpence and electrify us all.

As well as Mark Williams, Brad Hill and others who have all made an important impact over the years.

Today Jarman Impey, Chad Wingard

20

Chad Wingard

Age

31

Ht

183cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.9

4star

G

1.5

5star

No current season stats available

D

10.2

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.2

3star

, Tyler Brockman, Kaitlyn Ashmore and Janet Baird wear our colours.

Recently, we decided to conduct some work among our past and present First Nations players and staff to learn more about their experience at the club, and find out if they required any further support in their life after football.

We commissioned Phil Egan and his firm, Binmada, to talk to our past and present First Nations players and staff understanding that First Nations people would feel more comfortable telling their story to fellow First Nations people. We were also asked, and committed to, keeping the review, and any comments made by those interviewed, confidential. Importantly, many participated on that basis.


When the club received the final report, it would be an understatement to say we were horrified at the stories that three of our past players and their partners had recorded. If the allegations were true, these individuals, and their families, have been subjected to some horrific and unacceptable behaviours.

The review was never meant to be forensic. We wanted to hear from our past and present First Nations players about their experiences at Hawthorn and their current wellbeing.

The Board met to consider the final review and, because of the severity of the contents, decided to inform senior officials at the AFL about the stories that were contained within the review. The Board further decided that the review had to be given to the AFL’s Integrity Unit, as is required under the club’s AFL license, and because it was a key recommendation of the review. We also believed that we as a club did not have the personnel or the skillset to take the matter further.

After submitting the review to the AFL, we were then informed that certain members of the families of those who told their story had also been interviewed by an ABC journalist.

Their story was then published by the ABC shortly after that.

The stories themselves are so heartbreaking to read.

We had just begun a process with the AFL to address the issues the three families had raised.

The ABC story, and the coverage since, publicly named a number of individuals who the three families had mentioned in their stories to Mr Egan and the ABC. This denied those named their ability to respond to those allegations in an appropriate and fair manner consistent with the AFL rules.

All of those named in the ABC story have stood down from their position until a resolution has been determined.

The AFL, given the claims made and the failure of procedural fairness to others, has moved to establish an inquiry of four people to examine the claims in order to ultimately establish the truth. The details of the form, shape and personnel who will head the inquiry will be released by the AFL in the next few days.

Last night the club requested to meet with the AFL and its Counsel, and that meeting took place today.

Of course, our first concern is the welfare of the families who have made the claims and we are doing all we can to work with them. We are also concerned about the individuals and families who have been publicly named.

All families are suffering for different reasons.

A solution must be found quickly, and all parties should be prepared to work towards a solution, because not to do so will impact heavily on all involved.

Those hurt by alleged past actions should have their right to natural justice served, and the club can continue to learn and grow in this important space.

As a club, we do not apologise for asking our past and present First Nations players and staff about their past and present experiences. It is good practice to do so and will assist in our endeavours to provide a safe and nourishing environment for every member of our community.

Hopefully all parties will see fit to work with the AFL inquiry to bring this matter to a conclusion. We at the club do not intend to provide a running commentary on this matter and will allow the AFL inquiry to do its work.

That said, we will assist in any way we can.

Stay strong Hawkers.

 

[giantroo]

Former players at the centre of Hawthorn investigation will talk - to an AFL-free hearing​

The First Nations players and partners who have made allegations of mistreatment by Hawthorn senior officials want to tell their stories in an independent hearing, free of AFL influence, in which they and those facing allegations can be cross-examined.

Sources familiar with the former Hawthorn players’ and their families’ wishes said they did not trust an AFL investigation, but contrary to speculation, they did want to speak and recount their experiences to an independent hearing.

Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has hit out and alleged the investigation into his time at the Hawks has been "corrupted".

The players and their then partners - four of whom detailed allegations in the cultural safety review Hawthorn commissioned - are insistent upon an inquiry or hearing that is free of the AFL, although it is unclear what form that probe would take.

They want all parties, including coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, to be able to give their versions in a forum that is not subject to the AFL’s rules. Sources said there was a motivation to bring about change in how Indigenous players and people were handled.

Legal figures in Victoria said an inquiry could even be commissioned by the state government under the Inquiries Act. The Australian Human Rights Commission have powers to investigate whether there has been a breach of anti-discrimination laws.

The AFL has been trying to source qualified people, headed by either a retired judge or leading barrister or both, and including Indigenous and female representation, to a panel to investigate the Hawthorn allegations, which surfaced on Wednesday last week in an ABC online account from some ex-players and their then partners and was part of the cultural review by Hawthorn, which was leaked to the Herald-Sun.

Former coach Alastair Clarkson and former football manager Chris Fagan were named in the review. Both have rejected the allegations and were not interviewed for the Hawthorn report, and have said they will co-operate with the league investigation.

AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh also said the inquiry into historic racism allegations at Hawthorn should be independent of the league, as the PA released a survey reporting “concerning” incidences of racial vilification from people within the football industry among players’ experiences of racism.

Hawthorn’s review contained testimonies from former Indigenous players and their partners about their time at the club between 2010 and 2016, alleging they were forced to separate from each other. One Indigenous player alleged he was told that his partner had to terminate her pregnancy.

“I don’t know if there can be an AFL process,” Marsh said on Thursday, highlighting the conflict of interest that faced the AFL. “I don’t know how the AFL sits in judgement on this.”

Marsh did not offer an alternative to an AFL inquiry.

Marsh pointed out that, for example, the AFL inquiry would involve an AFL commissioner in Andrew Newbold, who was Hawthorn president from 2012 to early 2016 and who is mentioned in relation to an email in the cultural safety review of the Hawks.

The PA’s Insights and Impact report, released on Thursday, canvassed AFL players about racism, and only 17 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or people of colour surveyed said they felt that racism they had experienced while listed as AFL players was dealt with satisfactorily.

Another 21 per cent were “somewhat or partially satisfied” and 62 per cent were not satisfied at all.

A third of players who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or as a person of colour also reported having experienced racism while listed as an AFL player, with 15 players, out of a total of 92 players who identified as Indigenous or as a person of colour, saying instances occurred within the past 12 months.

Players reported the most common instances of racism as occurring on social media, however, the AFLPA said there were also “concerning” incidences of vilification from people within the industry.

A majority of players surveyed for the report said they would welcome more educational tools, including support, tools and/or education to equip them in confidently responding to racist incidents when they occur. This was despite high levels of confidence on how to recognise and respond to racism reported.

Marsh said there was work to do across the football industry when it comes to claims of racism being experienced by players.

​

 

[the big lebowski]

All involved need to be able to be cross examined and under oath.

Assuming a diverse panel then it’s a red L flag for anyone that doesn’t want to tell their story under cross examination.

If the coaches don’t want to do it, we should start looking for a new senior coach. If the accused don’t want to, clarko should get ready to be back in November.

If everyone is happy to proceed, we all hold our breath and wait.

 

[Hojuman]

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has released a statement regarding the Hawks’ treatment of First Nations players.
Here is Jeff Kennett’s full letter to members:

Dear members,

When Hawthorn Football Club selects young men and women to join our playing lists, we do so because they have demonstrated that they have skills that will increase the club’s chances of being successful, or because we recognise potential talent and character that we think we can help them to develop to become premiership players for us.

We don’t select players based on race, colour or religion.

Once on our list they are all equally important to us, and we spend considerable time developing their football skills, encouraging them to undertake studies and gain skills for life after football. Over the journey we have had a number of First Nations players wear the brown and gold.

Chance Bateman was our first First Nations player to play 100 games for our club.

Shaun Burgoyne recently finished his career with us having played over 400 AFL games.

Lance Franklin has now kicked 1,000 goals with us and Sydney.

Cyril Rioli could turn on a sixpence and electrify us all.

As well as Mark Williams, Brad Hill and others who have all made an important impact over the years.

Today Jarman Impey, Chad Wingard, Tyler Brockman, Kaitlyn Ashmore and Janet Baird wear our colours.

Recently, we decided to conduct some work among our past and present First Nations players and staff to learn more about their experience at the club, and find out if they required any further support in their life after football.

We commissioned Phil Egan and his firm, Binmada, to talk to our past and present First Nations players and staff understanding that First Nations people would feel more comfortable telling their story to fellow First Nations people. We were also asked, and committed to, keeping the review, and any comments made by those interviewed, confidential. Importantly, many participated on that basis.


When the club received the final report, it would be an understatement to say we were horrified at the stories that three of our past players and their partners had recorded. If the allegations were true, these individuals, and their families, have been subjected to some horrific and unacceptable behaviours.

The review was never meant to be forensic. We wanted to hear from our past and present First Nations players about their experiences at Hawthorn and their current wellbeing.

The Board met to consider the final review and, because of the severity of the contents, decided to inform senior officials at the AFL about the stories that were contained within the review. The Board further decided that the review had to be given to the AFL’s Integrity Unit, as is required under the club’s AFL license, and because it was a key recommendation of the review. We also believed that we as a club did not have the personnel or the skillset to take the matter further.

After submitting the review to the AFL, we were then informed that certain members of the families of those who told their story had also been interviewed by an ABC journalist.

Their story was then published by the ABC shortly after that.

The stories themselves are so heartbreaking to read.

We had just begun a process with the AFL to address the issues the three families had raised.

The ABC story, and the coverage since, publicly named a number of individuals who the three families had mentioned in their stories to Mr Egan and the ABC. This denied those named their ability to respond to those allegations in an appropriate and fair manner consistent with the AFL rules.

All of those named in the ABC story have stood down from their position until a resolution has been determined.

The AFL, given the claims made and the failure of procedural fairness to others, has moved to establish an inquiry of four people to examine the claims in order to ultimately establish the truth. The details of the form, shape and personnel who will head the inquiry will be released by the AFL in the next few days.

Last night the club requested to meet with the AFL and its Counsel, and that meeting took place today.

Of course, our first concern is the welfare of the families who have made the claims and we are doing all we can to work with them. We are also concerned about the individuals and families who have been publicly named.

All families are suffering for different reasons.

A solution must be found quickly, and all parties should be prepared to work towards a solution, because not to do so will impact heavily on all involved.

Those hurt by alleged past actions should have their right to natural justice served, and the club can continue to learn and grow in this important space.

As a club, we do not apologise for asking our past and present First Nations players and staff about their past and present experiences. It is good practice to do so and will assist in our endeavours to provide a safe and nourishing environment for every member of our community.

Hopefully all parties will see fit to work with the AFL inquiry to bring this matter to a conclusion. We at the club do not intend to provide a running commentary on this matter and will allow the AFL inquiry to do its work.

That said, we will assist in any way we can.

Stay strong Hawkers.

Jeff Kennett's vast collection of Golliwogs

The Esteemed President of the Hawthorn Football Club is copping heat for having one of the world's largest collection of Golliwogs, a child's toy characterised by frizzy black hair, jet black skin, red lips and bright white teeth. While some consider the Golliwog to be a racist caricature of...

www.bigfooty.com

What an utter p.o.s.

 

[czero]

I do understand why some think its a set-up. The media leaks, the non response and organisation of the families etc. But that would only be the case if the Families appointed Binmada (Phil and co), which is actually a bit of a grey area for me looking at the report.

It seems they all got an email from HFC first, then they talked about it together and the families called in Binmada, but its not clear.

Anyone know more about that?

 

[Devington]

So they're happy to participate in an investigation, just not the one the AFL is proposing. Oh, and they don't have their own suggestion.

Another mention of Human Rights too. I'm getting concerned that this is very, very specifically going to be all about individuals, rather than the systems and culture of the AFL at large, and the allegations at Hawthorn in particular.

 

[Ligma]

I do not give one shit what Kennett says.

 

[Sillygit]

I do not give one s**t what Kennett says.

I care only as it cofirms the prick isnt dead yet.

 

[Shermanator]

I did have fried rice for dinner tonight. So good!

I love the poached egg my resident Chinese take-away puts on my special fried rice.

PS: Special fried rice must contain prawns..

 

[The b shart]

Ricky Nixon goes bang!

 

[Devington]

Ricky Nixon goes bang!

Chicken posts literally everything he hears, and some things he didn't.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Chicken posts literally everything he hears, and some things he didn't.

All of which emanates from inside his own skull.

 

[rickety]

I care only as it cofirms the prick isnt dead yet.

Not really though. He might have staff like that other fella, and might not even know he has an email

 

[DocSholl]

I do not give one s**t what Kennett says.

Jeff clearly didn't write that

 

[Roos1991]

Forced to have an abortion (that didn't happen)
Forced to leave a partner (free to visit her any stage he wanted when not at the club)
Forced to change SIM card (can give your number to anyone you want)
etc

I would think the alleged conduct falls more squarely in the areas of employment and anti-discrimination law. Would imagine likely remedies for the families if they were successful at court would be a lot less than what the AFL would be prepared to settle for. The question will be how far the families want to push this. If they're willing to push this to a court (which has not been suggested at this stage I understand), I'd be thinking there is substance to the allegations and Clarko/Fagan/AFL would want to avoid that. I think this will likely resolve itself through private mediation and settlement coupled with a general investigation and recommendations into systemic safeguards that are put in place moving forward. The big question for North I think is whether the whole process damages Clarkson sufficiently such that he doesn't want to coach next year. Clarko is no quitter and is strong in character and stubborn by all accounts. However, his legacy is very important to him and to have it dragged like this (baseless or otherwise) could impact his love of the game particularly if he feels like he's lost standing.

 

[Disco Dew]

oh **** me, we’re now getting Ricky Nixon in here.

 

[Merlin007]

Can't see why the rules would not be the same for all parties. Everyone gives evidence under oath or nobody. Simple really. What I don't understand is the legal aspects of evidence under oath for an enquiry that I would assume has no legal (as in gov or courts) standing. Maybe I am just misreading this part.

no, you're not misreading anything; the whole 'cross examination under oath' is a nonsense outside a statutory environment

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Jeff clearly didn't write that

Newbolds old PA?

 

[Psicosis]

As expected, Kennetts statement reads a lot like “not our problem”.

 

[DuckYeah]

As expected, Kennetts statement reads a lot like “not our problem”.

Reads as a bloke who is conditioned to shitting on society with zero ****s given

 

[Horizons_00]

So over this all

The way this has been handled regardless of who, what and where is just sapping of the enjoyment of the game for me.

As serious as these allegations are the afl and all parties should be making this quick, succinct and thorough. But we’re no where near close to anything.