AFL to probe ‘harrowing’ Hawks report as Lions coach takes leave, Clarko’s job halted

The AFL will appoint a diverse, independent panel to investigate troubling allegations levelled against former Hawthorn staffers for their treatment of First Nations players and their partners.

It comes as Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, who was at the Hawks for eight years, stood down pending the outcome of the external investigation, while North Melbourne has confirmed Alastair Clarkson will not start his new coaching role on November 1 as planned.

ABC Sport on Wednesday morning published an extensive piece detailing the confronting contents of an external review that’d been commissioned by Hawthorn, as well as first-hand accounts from three First Nations players spoken to by ABC journalist Russell Jackson. The report, which was handed to senior Hawks management two weeks ago, is now in the hands of the AFL Integrity Unit, according to the ABC

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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan on Wednesday morning confirmed he’d read the report, but admitted further details in the ABC story were a “challenging, harrowing and disturbing read” and not in the Hawks-comissioned report. However McLachlan insisted the report would remain confidential.

McLachlan said the league would commission a four-person external group, led by an eminent King’s Counsel, with the panel members to be confirmed over the next 24 hours. The panel will be “appropriately skills-based, have the right mix of diversity and an approach that prioritises cultural safety for all those who have shared their experiences”.

The league boss confirmed both the AFL Players’ Association and the AFL Coaches’ Association would be consulted on who will sit on the panel to review the allegations.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. Picture: Morgan HancockSource: Getty Images

“These are serious allegations and it’s important we treat them appropriately while also ensuring the formal process provides support to those impacted and also natural justice to those people who are accused,” McLachlan told reporters.

“This is a process that is appropriate that it is held independent of the normal AFL integrity department response.

“We need to run a proper investigation to get to the bottom of it — and this is important, out of respect for those making the allegations and out of respect for those being accused.”

McLachlan, who appeared alongside the league’s general manager of policy and social inclusion Tanya Hosch, praised the players and the partners that had spoken up about the pain they had suffered, declaring “you’ve been heard”.

“I want to acknowledge the hurt, the anger and the grief of the people who’ve shared their experiences and told their stories and all of those impacted. I want to say to the women and the partners and also the players who shared their stories, that our first priority is to you, to provide the care and the support that you need. You’ve been heard … As a community, we will do our best to wrap our arms around you and support.

“It’s important that we continue to communicate with you and to you. The welfare is the most pressing priority for us because I know that sharing these stories is not easy, but it is important that you do. I want to thank you all who’ve share their experiences as part of this review.

“As a game, we’ve taken steps in recent times to add resource to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in our game with Indigenous player development managers at each club — an extension of ensuring we continue to build the game’s capability in relation to cultural safety and cultural inclusion.

“I’ve met regularly with a senior cohort of male Indigenous leaders over the past 18 months and recently initiated our first meeting with Indigenous AFLW players that will also be held several times a year. But we need to do more — and we will need greater safety and education across our game. And we will do that.”

McLachlan said he’d spoken with clubs that will be impacted by the investigation, adding their approach would become “clear today (on Wednesday)”.

Hosch said it was important the process wasn’t rushed.

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“We have to come up with a process that adequately addresses the allegations in hand today through the report that Hawthorn commissioned,” Hosch said.

“We obviously are going to do further examination on exactly what has occurred and I think that that has to be our priority. These are not things that should be taken lightly, because if the design of these things are not done appropriately, if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people don‘t have input into the design, we will not come up with an adequate response because the questions will be wrong. So there’s a whole range of things that need to be managed appropriately and very directly.

“It’s certainly not something that can be rushed, because if you do a rushed job in relation to things that are so critical and speak to the history of this country as a whole, we won’t do service or show appropriate respect to everyone impacted by any of the number of things that you might expect to find.”

The AFL released a statement on Wednesday morning saying it was investigating “extremely serious” allegations about the treatment of Hawthorn’s Indigenous players.

“The AFL is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and culturally appropriate environment for all players and staff throughout the industry, ensuring that physical, mental and emotional welfare is a key priority for all in our sport,” the statement read.

“The AFL takes extremely seriously all matters where people report experiencing harm, discrimination or mistreatment in our industry. We recently received a document from the Hawthorn Football Club outlining very serious allegations gathered during the recently completed review by an external consultant who interviewed current and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

“The experiences outlined in the document are extremely serious and require further and full examination.

“The AFL is finalising a process to investigate the allegations and has sought further details of those who shared their experiences in order to progress its investigation.

“The AFL is committed to ensuring all who shared their experiences are fully supported through this process. The AFL will liaise with the parties to ensure appropriate support and cultural safety are in place in accordance with the wishes of those involved.

Hawthorn has responded to the ABC’s report. Picture: Robert CianfloneSource: Getty Images

“We are committed to the welfare of all involved. Once we have spoken to those who have shared their experiences, we will be able to provide an update on the next steps in the investigation.”

Hawthorn said “the club immediately engaged AFL Integrity as is appropriate” in the wake of its findings.

“The club will continue to provide support to those who have participated in this process, and their wellbeing remains our priority,” the club said.

“While the process indicated the current environment at the club is culturally safe, it also recommended that some of the club’s current First Nations training and development programs should continue to be strengthened.

“The club places the best interests and welfare of our players and staff as our number one priority.

“Given the matters raised are confidential, the club will not provide any further comment at this time.”