AFL 360 co-hosts Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson are doubtful the investigation into historical allegations of mistreatment at Hawthorn will end “adequately”, more than four months after the initial projected end date.
Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph reported this week Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan and North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson had both rejected mediation in the ongoing investigation.
Speaking to AFL 360 on Monday, Fagan didn’t categorically deny the report, instead referring to his “confidentiality deed” he has signed.
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Fagan added: “But (it’d) be fair to say I’ve not said those words to anybody, that I’m not going to participate in whatever process comes up in the future.
“I’m really keen for this, for us to progress the process, but I do want to make sure that whatever we’re involved in is fair and just to all parties.
“But I’ve had no discussion with my lawyers in the last week or so about mediation processes and whether or not we’ll be in them. I just have to leave it at that, that’s about all I can say.”
Asked by Robinson if the Hawthorn may never be resolved, Whateley responded: “This is impossible to answer and thus it must be real.”
“There must be some scenario in which it’s not actually possible to land the suitable outcome for a broad community and then try to construct a football resolution within that.
“This seems like it’s going nowhere. There’s certainly no information that suggests that it’s going anywhere and to listen to Chris Fagan last night where it has to be ‘fair and just to all parties’, even in the bits and pieces I know, I don’t know how you fulfil that brief.”
Robinson agreed Fagan’s comments were “interesting”, but added the length of the process should not be put above those involved.
“All I’ll say, it‘s got to be fair and just to all parties, but it’s got to be more fair and just to the Indigenous people who are telling their stories, because they were invited to do their truth-telling exercise,” he said.
“That just can’t be dismissed because it’s getting complex. That can’t be forgotten.
“Hawthorn asked them to tell their story and they’ve told their stories, everyone’s lawyered up.
“It’ll be resolved, but I don’t know if it will be resolved adequately for some.”
