The AFL has been urged to include an experienced football administrator when investigating allegations against Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan into the treatment of Indigenous players and their families during their time at Hawthorn.
The league is finalising the four-person panel that will conduct the independent investigation into what occurred at the Hawks between 2010 and 2016.
However, AFL Coaches Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson said on Monday a “well-credentialed current or former football administrator” should sit on the panel.
AFLCA chief Alistair Nicholson says a veteran football administrator must be a part of the four-person panel to investigate allegations made against Hawthorn.Credit:Paul Jeffers
“Football clubs are unique environments. They become a second home for players, and coaches are often required to be much more than just football mentors,” he said.
“Coaches are regularly called on to provide advice and support on non-football related issues, particularly with younger players who have left home to join an AFL club.
“It would significantly enhance the investigation if someone who intimately understands that environment, and has deep experience in managing the wellbeing of players, was included on the panel.
Alastair Clarkson refutes any wrongdoing in the AFL racism scandal, saying he is shocked to be embroiled in a furore which casts doubt on his return to coaching.Credit:Getty
“The AFLCA fully endorses the AFL’s decision to investigate the confronting allegations raised. Our thoughts are with the players and their families who have shared their stories, as well as other First Nations people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the publicity around this situation.
“We also note that both Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan have strongly denied the allegations made. The investigation will allow both coaches to share their version of events, and until that investigation is complete and due process has been followed they should be afforded natural justice.
“The AFLCA is continuing to offer both coaches our support with a focus on their personal wellbeing.”
Nicholson’s stance has merit, but it could be challenging finding an administrator willing to be involved, and who has not had links to Fagan and Clarkson.
There have also been calls for the panel to have Indigenous representation.
The four families who made serious allegations in the review have appointed Leon Zwier from Arnold Bloch Leibler to represent them, while the AFL has appointed former Western Bulldogs president and legal heavyweight Peter Gordon to run its case.
Fagan, the Lions’ coach for the past six seasons, has denied any wrongdoing during his time at the Hawks, when he was director of coaching and football manager from 2008 to 2016. He has taken a leave of absence from his job as Lions coach to take part in an AFL investigation.
Brisbane Lions chair Andrew Wellington has thrown the club’s support behind Fagan.
Clarkson, who had been due to start his new role as North Melbourne coach on November 1, has delayed his start. He said last week he “refutes any allegation of wrongdoing or misconduct”.
Kangaroos president Sonja Hood has said she supports Clarkson’s version of events.
“I’m really confident in his side of the story. I’m sure we will get a chance to hear that through the AFL’s process,” Hood said.
Jason Burt, also named in the initial ABC report, has taken leave from his job at Caulfield Grammar. He had been the Hawks’ player development manager.
Caulfield Grammar principal Ashleigh Martin said in an email to parents last week that Burt wanted to engage fully in the investigation called by the AFL.
“Today Jason Burt advised me of his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from his role as head of coaching and performance sport, a role that he has been in for three and a half years,” the email said.
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