Lions coach Chris Fagan remains silent about the AFL’s investigation into racism claims against him and Alastair Clarkson, and wants his Brisbane players shielded from questions about the matter.
Lions star Charlie Cameron came out in defence of Fagan earlier this week as the investigation into his and Clarkson’s alleged mistreatment of First Nations players and their partners during their time at Hawthorn continues.
“He’s been good to me and the other indigenous players (at the Lions),” Cameron said.
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When asked on Friday if he was grateful for Cameron’s support, Fagan said he would prefer that his players would not have to answer questions about the matter.
“I probably in my heart wish that the players weren’t asked about the investigation,” Fagan said before a Lions intra-club trial.
“I’ve actually signed a confidentiality agreement so I can’t talk about it … and I won’t talk about it.
“One day I will be able to but at not at this point in time.”
Fagan was unsure when the investigation would be completed but promised it would not derail the Lions’ preparations for their round one clash against Port Adelaide on March 18.
“It’s obviously gone a little bit slower than everybody expected. That’s just the way it goes. It’s not something I can control,” he said.
“It’s not really frustrating because I’ve put my time and energy into our footy club, so it’s not something that’s in the front of my mind.
“If I get a call from my lawyers or anything like that, it goes back to the front of my mind.
“Basically it’s just a pre-season for us. The players are unaffected and just getting on with business.”
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Fagan said when the allegations against him first came out in September last year, he addressed the matter with Lions players “as best” as he could.
“But I haven’t actually spoken to the whole room about it since that point in time,” he said.
“The odd player has had a question or two, but I’ve told everybody here, including the players, that if I need to tell them anything about the investigation I will, but at this point in time, I haven’t felt the need to do that.”
Fagan said “any help with legal fees would be appreciated” when asked about reports that the AFL’s insurance system was set to cover a “large share” of his and Clarkson’s legal fees.
Long-time Lions captain Dayne Zorko, who is nursing a minor hamstring injury, was among a handful of senior players who didn’t take part in Friday’s intra-club trial.
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Key off-season recruit Jack Gunston also didn’t play, with the former Hawthorn star given the day off to attend a wedding.
Fagan said he and 34-year-old Zorko would have a “conversation” about the captaincy at “some point in time”.
