Lions coach Chris Fagan still wants to tell the “truth” about his alleged involvement in the Hawthorn racism scandal despite the AFL’s investigation into the matter no longer set to progress to mediation.
Fagan remains determined to clear his name eight months after he and Alastair Clarkson were implicated in the Hawks’ historical racism saga.
“There are a lot of stories – I don‘t know what ones are true and what ones aren’t,” Fagan said on Thursday.
“I’m just waiting for the official word from the people who are on the inside and involved, and I don’t have really any update from where we were last week or the week before that.
“I’m still very willing to go and tell my truth when the opportunity arises, which it still hasn’t.”
The stress of the investigation, which last week led to Clarkson stepping down as North Melbourne coach, claimed another scalp on Wednesday when Justin Reeves quit his job as Hawthorn chief executive.
“This investigation has taken its toll on a lot of people, and that’s not good to see,” Fagan said.
“It’ll be good to reach some conclusion with it sometime in the very near future.
“That will be ideal, but I wish him (Reeves) well and hope that he makes a full recovery.”
Fagan had similar welfare sentiments for triple premiership-winning coach Damien Hardwick following his decision this week to part ways with Richmond halfway through his 14th season in charge of the Tigers,
“That wouldn‘t have been a decision that he made lightly and it’s just a reflection of the great pressure senior coaches are under to keep coming up with new ideas to inspire your team,” the Lions mentor said.
“All of us who do this job understand that emotion, but he’s been a wonderful coach and a resilient coach.
“He nearly lost his job and then next thing you know they won three flags in a short space of time.
“He’s earnt everyone‘s respect. I’m hopeful at some point in time he’ll bob up again somewhere in the coaching ranks, but if he doesn’t, what a career.”
Fagan said he was still enjoying the “challenge” that came every week with coaching.
“Some weeks you feel better than others, I must admit. Winning always helps,” the 61-year-old coach said.
“This competition is really hard all the time. It‘s relentless, but at this point in time, even though you know getting to my elderly stage, I feel good and loving every minute of the job.”
The Lions will chase an eighth successive win when they meet the Crows in Adelaide on Sunday.
“In this competition it’s hard to keep winning, there‘s no doubt about that, but we’ve got a fair level of confidence in what we’ve been able to do over the last six or seven weeks,” Fagan said.
“We‘re very much looking forward to this clash. We know it’s a big test.
“We know all their motivations but we‘re keen to continue (the winning run), and I’ve seen no evidence this week of lack of enthusiasm or energy towards the game.”
