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
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