Coach Alastair Clarkson IV - HFC Racism Investigation Discussion

[Orange Peanut]

Rioli was going to come out if a 6 year retirement? Colour me doubtful.

Coaching/development role.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

Reading that makes me think Rioli etc have been given wrong advice about how they approached this.
Could have started out with Kate Eastman or someone similar.

If the Hawthorn defence can be accepted at face value, there are a number of grounds upon which this whole thing should be dismissed from a purely legal standpoint. If their argument is sound, then it's astonishing that the players' lawyer didn't advise them in the strongest terms to take whatever settlement is offered and walk away.

 

[giantroo]

Hawk was pulled from do-or-die final after drug use, club alleges​

By Peter Ryan​

October 10, 2024 — 1.57pm



Hawthorn claim they pulled Carl Peterson from the 2010 elimination final against Fremantle after his partner informed them he had used marijuana in the week leading up to the game, according to their defence lodged in the Federal Court.

The Hawks also claim that Peterson returned from a trip during the 2009 mid-season break incoherent and appearing to be affected by alcohol or illicit substances. Peterson also allegedly advised a club official he had no money in his bank account and had lost his clothing.

Carl Peterson during his last season with the Hawks.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo

In the document, which is a response to a statement of claim from ex-Hawks Cyril Rioli, Peterson and others, Hawthorn also denied a meeting between Peterson, Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt – where Clarkson was alleged to have suggested Peterson’s partner should terminate a pregnancy – ever took place.

The filing of Hawthorn’s defence is the latest development in the Federal Court action lodged against the football club, arising from allegations contained in the Hawks’ 2022 cultural safety review.

The defence also argues that Rioli signed a deed of release with Hawthorn at the time of his retirement in 2018 that precludes him from taking Federal Court action. It also states that the champion Hawk received “valuable consideration” from Hawthorn at that time.

Hawthorn argue “the proceeding is an abuse of process due to the delay by the applicants in commencing the proceeding”.

Cyril Rioli in full flight for the Hawks in 2012.Credit: Sebastian Costanzo

In the defence, Hawthorn say they recruited Peterson at the end of 2008 despite “concerns relating to his drug use and his failure of a voluntary drug test in or around that time” being raised by the club’s recruiting team.

Peterson lived with a host family and welfare staff including Burt and David Flood until early 2009 when he moved in with his partner Nikita Rotumah. He was delisted in October 2010.


Hawthorn deny that a meeting – at which Peterson alleged in the statement of claim that Clarkson said words to the effect of “unless you break up with her and tell her to terminate the pregnancy, your football career will be in jeopardy” – ever happened.

The document “denies that any meeting with the coaches occurred after Peterson informed Burt that Rotumah was pregnant”. It says that Fagan, Burt and Clarkson first became aware the pair were expecting a baby when Peterson announced the news to teammates in late July or early August and any of their actions before that point occurred without any awareness his partner was pregnant.

The Hawks also deny the following allegations from the statement of claim:

• That Peterson told Clarkson and Burt that he had told Rotumah it was not a good idea to have the baby or for them to see each other
• That Clarkson and Burt told Peterson words to the effect that he would stay at Burt’s house for a few days
• That Burt drove Peterson to his house, and on the way purchases a SIM card and told Peterson words to the effect that it would be best that Peterson was not able to communicate with his family any more so he could be 100 per cent focused on his training

Burt, Clarkson and Fagan have denied all the allegations against them, which were initially aired in the cultural safety review and made public by the ABC in grand final week of 2022.

Peterson eventually moved back with Rotumah in early 2010 and their baby was born in February 2010.

More to come

 

[Flawed Genius]

Wasn't Atleys nickname Humphrey as well?

 

[Del191229]

Jeez the whole bain moard mob who took Tuck Shop King Rusty Jackson's article as holy writ look ****ing stupid now hey.

SYL now thinks it s "complex matter" lol

 

[Chadwiko]

SYL now thinks it s "complex matter" lol

That dude is in the Top 5 biggest tools on BigFooty.

 

[Black Diamond]

The really heavy stuff starts at paragraph 46 - the Peterson abortion meeting onward.

 

[Del191229]

That dude is in the Top 5 biggest tools on BigFooty.

He certainly is man - yet he's not even the biggest tool of the Hawthorn mods lol.

 

[Del191229]

The really heavy stuff starts at paragraph 46 - the Peterson abortion meeting onward.

Complete denial that it ever happened hey, which is chimes with what I've always heard

 

[Black Diamond]

Complete denial that it ever happened hey, which is chimes with what I've always heard

I’m most of the way through it. Only concerning part so far is the admission to paragraph 94.

 

[shintemaster]

2 more than usual

There's even a chance they might be accurate, which would be two sentences more than is typical in that paper in a year.

 

[Del191229]

I’m most of the way through it. Only concerning part so far is the admission to paragraph 94.

For those not as deep down the rabbit hole, the reference is:

During his visit to Alice Springs, Mr Clarkson said to Mr Rioli words to this effect: “why do these Aboriginals have darker skin that you?”.

That's culturally insensitive, but hardly indicative of racism.

I mean, from the sounds of things he probably would have asked other players like Buddy/Shaun Burgoyne/Brad Hill that too and they probably would have gone "Ah jeez Al, don't ever say that again mate, skin colour isn't representative of who is and isn't or is more indigenous" and he'd have gone shit learned my lesson here.

 

[Black Diamond]

For those not as deep down the rabbit hole, the reference is:



That's culturally insensitive, but hardly indicative of racism.

I mean, from the sounds of things he probably would have asked other players like Buddy/Shaun Burgoyne/Brad Hill that too and they probably would have gone "Ah jeez Al, don't ever say that again mate, skin colour isn't representative of who is and isn't or is more indigenous" and he'd have gone shit learned my lesson here.

The guitar allegation at 177 of the claim is also denied.

What makes this interesting is Burgoyne is supposed to have been there. What is his recollection?

 

[ferball]

For those not as deep down the rabbit hole, the reference is:



That's culturally insensitive, but hardly indicative of racism.

I mean, from the sounds of things he probably would have asked other players like Buddy/Shaun Burgoyne/Brad Hill that too and they probably would have gone "Ah jeez Al, don't ever say that again mate, skin colour isn't representative of who is and isn't or is more indigenous" and he'd have gone shit learned my lesson here.

There's a term in the top end - "Yellow Fella" that refers to people who had members of the Makassan people in their ancestry. Its not a term of disrespect or anything afaik but is sposed to acknowledge their heritage also includes people from across the sea. Might have nothing to do with Cyril's background tho.

 

[DuckYeah]

Jeez the whole bain moard mob who took Tuck Shop King Rusty Jackson's article as holy writ look ****ing stupid now hey.

SYL now thinks it s "complex matter" lol

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. The deniability from Hawthorn points toward them being blackmailed and extorted

 

[Hojuman]

Rusty commented ?

 

[Topparoo]

If you were called Humphrey B Bear it was usually in reference to having a quiet or shy personality. Matthew Kruezer was called Humphrey at the Blues because of his quiet nature.

 

[Black Diamond]

I’d love to know if Peterson’s drug use came up in mediation. If yes, what did ABL do to satisfy themselves it either wasn’t true or would not be discrediting?

Also interested in why they would plead such obvious employment matters like Egan being a contractor or the nature of being on a rookie list.

 

[Orange Peanut]

If you were called Humphrey B Bear it was usually in reference to having a quiet or shy personality. Matthew Kruezer was called Humphrey at the Blues because of his quiet nature.

I guess it's like the torn jeans stuff from Kennett. If you're not conscious of cultural sensitivities you can cause genuine offense. That's 2-from-2 for the Riolis. I wonder if a genuine acknowledgement and apology has been extended to them, and if that would have been enough?

 

[North1411]

I guess it's like the torn jeans stuff from Kennett. If you're not conscious of cultural sensitivities you can cause genuine offense. That's 2-from-2 for the Riolis. I wonder if a genuine acknowledgement and apology has been extended to them, and if that would have been enough?

Or people looking to be offended will find it anywhere.

Saying that, if Rioli commented to clarkson and said he didn't like it and he kept on saying it then that would be a problem

 

[LB2Snake]

After hearing from well-sourced posters on here that Cyril was on the cusp of joining North when Clarko came on board; it's jarring to read that he felt racially vilified by him as a player.

When you call someone Humphrey it's because they barely speak.....has always been the case. But I get that if Cyril felt it was racist it need to be explained.

 

[Orange Peanut]

When you call someone Humphrey it's because they barely speak.....has always been the case. But I get that if Cyril felt it was racist it need to be explained.

Yeah exactly mate. No offense would have been meant, but unfortunately it looks like some was taken. It's sad.

 

[zoomba23]

Just gonna throw another pointless opinion in the ring, because this thread doesn't have enough of them, but I find it impossible to believe that Cyril was the one who associated the Humphrey nickname with racism. That allegation is the handiwork of someone actively looking, in bad faith, for offence. Someone like the wife, who'd already been offended by a Kennett comment

 

[Black Diamond]

Thing is, Hawthorn likely in consultation with Clarkson have admitted the Humphrey nickname. It happened, and now the argument is about context.

So how are these matters resolved in other context? Via expert witnesses.

We could yet be treated to Raygun-quality arts professors arguing in court about “lived experiences” and “privilege”.

 

[Lomas]

Just gonna throw another pointless opinion in the ring, because this thread doesn't have enough of them, but I find it impossible to believe that Cyril was the one who associated the Humphrey nickname with racism. That allegation is the handiwork of someone actively looking, in bad faith, for offence. Someone like the wife, who'd already been offended by a Kennett comment

Fat Cat called someone Humphrey?!