Coach Alastair Clarkson IV - HFC Racism Investigation Discussion

[Disco Dew]

If an independent Panel has come to the conclusion after 8 months of fact finding - a conclusion that the claimants also agreed to - that the defendents have nothing to answer for, what would be the purpose of going to HRC or Federal Courts?

The Panel has found absolutely no wrongdoing on behalf of Clarko and Co. Why would the HRC or Courts see it differently???

 

[giantroo]

 

[Mav]

It was a very insightful interview.

 

[SunnyBoner]

Can someone pls just confirm when/if Hawthorn will be taken to the cleaners by the AFL for the absolute mess they have created?

 

[Mav]

Can someone pls just confirm when/if Hawthorn will be taken to the cleaners by the AFL for the absolute mess they have created?

Listen to the Malcolm Speed interview. Unlikely to happen.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

What about Zac and Ian/Amy though? They weren’t involved in the AFL investigation and made the most serious claims?

The reports today suggest that Zac and Kylie did not participate and nor did Amy, but Ian did. If that's the case, then Ian has conveyed his side of the abortion story and despite that, and without requiring denials or counterpoints from Clarko, Fagan, and Burt, the independent investigation panel found that there was no case to answer regarding the story. Let me just repeat that - the abortion story was put to the investigators but they saw so little substance to it that they've chosen to exonerate the coaches.

 

[bengrina]

Given recent developments what are peoples thoughts on whether Clarko is likely to return?

I'm assuming he will also likely be releasing a statement at some stage in there near future?

 

[Shinboner1]

Listen to the Malcolm Speed interview. Unlikely to happen.

robbo wont be happy

 

[Horizons_00]

However should the case advance to the Human Rights Commission, Clarkson, Fagan and Burt, who’ve long denied any wrongdoing but were never formally interviewed on the matter, would need to attend compulsory mediation.

It would require the First Nations families to put their testimonies on record, meaning their identities would be made public for the first time.

“It’s far from the end of this story,” Chief Herald Sun reporter and AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson said on Tuesday night.

“My information tonight is it is destined for the Human Rights commission.”

If consolidation can’t be reached, the families could sue for discrimination in the Federal Court, while the entire process reportedly could drag out for another couple of years.

How is this is a good thing?

If it goes to HRC then Clarko, Fagan are going to be affected for years?!

 

[giantroo]

 

[giantroo]

 

[Farthers]

Are we expecting Clarko to put out a statement?

 

[JGreezy]

The reports today suggest that Zac and Kylie did not participate and nor did Amy, but Ian did. If that's the case, then Ian has conveyed his side of the abortion story and despite that, and without requiring denials or counterpoints from Clarko, Fagan, and Burt, the independent investigation panel found that there was no case to answer regarding the story. Let me just repeat that - the abortion story was put to the investigators but they saw so little substance to it that they've chosen to exonerate the coaches.

Can Amy go down the human rights path without Ian's backing when most of her story was what Ian told her happened?

It doesn't seem like much of a case... "My boyfriend broke up with me and said that he wanted an abortion. Then he didn't speak to me for a month. I tried to get his employer to hand over his contact details and they refused. Then he got back with me and told me that it was all his coach's idea."

 

[giantroo]

 

[giantroo]

 

[FlyHigh18]

if the hawks are sanctioned, will a hawks for 'least wins' bet pay-out? asking for a friend...

 

[Merlin007]

This is bullshit. The Rioli's may have seemingly kicked it off by talking to Wilson in 2020, but if I'd been treated to Kennett's patronising condescension in a public place, I'd be talking to people too.

The rest of the indigenous people concerned didn't do anything other than participate in an enquiry commissioned by the Hawthorn Football Club, and it was either a HFC board member or Bindama that leaked the report before it landed in full with the AFL. The indigenous people may then have spoken with Rusty Jackson, but by that stage he had the report anyway.

The indigenous people involved did not initiate the Hawthorn review, and HFC has to own the management of it

Cherny is blaming the victims; he should take more interest in Kennett's role in the whole fiasco, beginning with how Egan could confine the problems at Hawthorn to the pre-2016 period when Kennett's behaviour at Launceston two years later was the catalyst for a now amusingly titled cultural safety review.

 

[shintemaster]

This is bullshit. The Rioli's may have seemingly kicked it off by talking to Wilson in 2020, but if I'd been treated to Kennett's patronising condescension in a public place, I'd be talking to people too.

The rest of the indigenous people concerned didn't do anything other than participate in an enquiry commissioned by the Hawthorn Football Club, and it was either a HFC board member or Bindama that leaked the report before it landed in full with the AFL. The indigenous people may then have spoken with Rusty Jackson, but by that stage he had the report anyway.

The indigenous people involved did not initiate the Hawthorn review, and HFC has to own the management of it

Cherny is blaming the victims; he should take more interest in Kennett's role in the whole fiasco, beginning with how Egan could confine the problems at Hawthorn to the pre-2016 period when Kennett's behaviour at Launceston two years later was the catalyst for a now amusingly titled cultural safety review.

Yep. Well said.

Interesting take from Cherry, a little too quick to blame the players solely. Might be worth digging behind this and asking why players and families went to the media... It is a little easy to just blame them for not following a process that HFC decided was appropriate because they said so. It is yet to be seen whether that is in any way the case, arguably the way this has played out strongly suggests that the HFC did not have a good handle on the process and little credibility in expecting those aggrieved to await their timeline.

This whole thing has been a mess from start to finish. It seems clear that many of the ex players and their families had issues with how they were treated at times, but equally clear that that doesn't necessarily mean that they feel hung, drawn and quartered was the appropriate response for Clarkson et al.

 

[Mute Point]

Gowers said he'd be disappointed if the Hawks are sanctioned. How about NMFC's disappointment at not having their coach for most of the pre season & at least 6 weeks of the season due to the Hawks shoddy processes???

 

[Farthers]

Gowers said he'd be disappointed if the Hawks are sanctioned. How about NMFC's disappointment at not having their coach for most of the pre season & at least 6 weeks of the season due to the Hawks shoddy processes???

Also JHF using it as convenient excuse to bail. Did it also affect players we were targeting in trade week?

 

[chubbspeterson]

I doubt the AFL would give them draft sanctions, particularly if Tassie comes in. More likely financial I would think.

 

[The Dingrel]

Good.

I wonder what outcome the families actually want?

 

[giantroo]

The lawyer for the First Nations families in the Hawks racism saga has confirmed his clients will take their case to the Human Rights Commission.

Leon Zwier, who has acted for the families from the outset, told the Herald Sun: “Our clients are committed to running the Human Rights Commission claim against the Hawthorn Football Club, Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt.”

Zwier will have further meetings with the families before a date is set to launch proceedings.

The AFL on Tuesday acknowledged the “hurt pain and anguish’’ suffered by the families when they were at Hawthorn.

 

[Cyber_punk]

How long would the HRC investigation take? I imagine it could stretch many months, perhaps even longer.

Even if Clarko comes back he will have that hanging over his head still.

 

[giantroo]

Dear members,

On Tuesday night the AFL announced an end to the Hawthorn investigation, with no adverse findings against anyone, including our senior coach Alastair Clarkson.

This was a very welcome outcome, and I’m writing today to provide some North Melbourne perspective on what has happened, and what may happen next.

Firstly, I want to note the harm this process has caused to all involved. Last night’s statement spoke of the considerable distress caused by the way the story became public, compounding the hurt that First Nations families felt from their time at Hawthorn.

The past few months have been really tough on everyone – those named publicly and the many who were part of the investigation.

In terms of Alastair’s situation, I am pleased – but not surprised – that the independent panel cleared him of the allegations of wrongdoing.

Having heard Alastair’s story, spoken to many of his past players (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) and colleagues, and had a chance to review the documentation presented to the independent panel (much of it as late as last week), this is a just outcome, albeit one that was a long time coming.

The past eight months have taken a huge toll on Alastair and he has been remarkably stoic. He has remained loyal to the process throughout despite having been denied natural justice for so long.

For now, he will remain away from the club as he looks to get his own physical and mental health in order. We’re happy for him to take as much time away as he feels is necessary.

We’ll continue to support him and our players and staff while he’s away. Todd Viney, Brett Ratten

Brett Ratten

Age

53

Ht

184cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.4

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

10.3

5star

M

2.9

3star

T

3.0

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.4

5star

K

13.8

5star

HB

12.6

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

and our entire football department will continue implementing Alastair’s plan.

Everyone misses Clarko – but rest assured, the club is in great shape and we are able to give him all the time he needs to get his health right.

Finally, although this investigation relates to the Hawthorn Football Club, we know that the game is still not always a safe place for First Nations people. In fact, our whole country is facing into an important period of listening and understanding of our shared history.

As a club, we are committed to playing our role and we support the strategic and governance recommendations laid out by the AFL in yesterday’s release.


Sonja