AFL names panel for Hawthorn racism review
The AFL hopes a panel that will examine serious historical allegations of racism levelled at Hawthorn and high-profile coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan will deliver findings by December.
Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and senior assistant coach Chris Fagan in 2015. Photo: AAP/Julian Smith
Leading Victorian lawyer Bernard Quinn will head up a four-person panel that is due to report back with public findings and recommendations.
The investigation will delve into a period at Hawthorn between 2008 and 2016, and will run independently of the AFL.
Joining Quinn on the panel will be barristers Jacqualyn Turfrey, Tim Goodwin and Julie Buxton.
“These are very serious allegations, and it is important that we have an independent panel that is able to hear the perspectives of all involved and to provide natural justice to those making the claims and those who have had claims made against them,” AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said.
“It is also vitally important that the panel is able to complete its work independently of the AFL.
“Beyond this immediate investigation, we are open to listening to all the ideas that are being suggested, however importantly for the short-term we need to run a proper independent process on these allegations, and we believe this investigation will help inform whatever we do next as an industry.”
Clarkson has delayed his start as North Melbourne coach, and Fagan has taken leave from the Brisbane Lions after harrowing allegations from the pair’s time working at Hawthorn surfaced via the ABC in September.
Both coaches have denied wrongdoing.
The explosive story said a former Hawthorn player alleged he was told by Clarkson, who was Hawks coach from 2005 to 2021, to terminate his partner’s pregnancy.
In a speech at Saturday night’s club best and fairest function, outgoing Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said it was “unfair” allegations were made public.
Also named in the ABC investigation was former Hawks player development manager Jason Burt, who took leave from his role at a prestigious Melbourne private school when the report emerged.
Former Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge supported Clarkson and Fagan in a social media post on Saturday, while Brisbane star Lachie Neale backed Fagan after winning the Lions’ best and fairest award on Friday night.
The AFL said on Wednesday it does not know the identities of the players and families who made the claims to the ABC and through a Hawthorn club review.
Repeated requests to find out the names from their lawyers to assist with the investigation have been knocked back, the AFL says.
The league reiterated the panel would not be available to provide public commentary during the investigation process.
-AAP
