Despite the Human Rights Commission’s recent dismissal of a claim filed by former Indigenous players and their partners against Hawthorn, the club remains steadfast in its commitment to resolving the longstanding racism saga.
Following the termination of the case, which saw the commission deem the likelihood of reaching an agreement between the involved parties as slim, the players, including four-time premiership winner Cyril Rioli, and their partners have been granted 60 days to pursue the matter further in the Federal Court.
Hawthorn President Andy Gowers reiterated the club’s desire for a fair and expeditious resolution for all parties involved, expressing disappointment that a resolution couldn’t be achieved through the commission’s process. Nonetheless, Gowers affirmed the club’s unwavering dedication to addressing the issue and working towards a resolution.
Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and former football operations manager Chris Fagan, who currently coaches North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions respectively, met with the complainants for the first time in March, marking a pivotal moment since the allegations surfaced in a 2022 ABC report.
Both Clarkson, Fagan, and former Hawks welfare boss Jason Burt have denied any wrongdoing in response to the claims. Last year, an independent panel appointed by the AFL found no adverse findings against them regarding allegations of racism during their tenure at Hawthorn between 2008 and 2016.
Former Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett weighed in on the latest developments, describing the dismissal of the claim as the “correct outcome” and emphasizing the importance of subjecting all claims to legal scrutiny for proper assessment. Kennett stressed that compensation through mediation alone does not adequately validate claims unless wrongdoing is admitted.
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