Key Points
- Outgoing Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has called the leaking of racism allegations at the AFL club "unfair".
- He said he was "somewhat flabbergasted - and worse" when he read about Indigenous players' experiences at the club
Outgoing Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has called the leaking of "unfair", saying he hopes the unfolding saga can be resolved by the end of the year.
Speaking at the club's best and fairest awards function on Saturday night, Kennett said the club was not in crisis and described the issue as a "bump along the highway".
But he told the audience he was "somewhat flabbergasted - and worse" when he read the draft report of the club's investigation into the experiences of Indigenous players and their partners while at Hawthorn.
That report was handed to the AFL, which will establish a .
Four-time Hawks premiership coach Alastair Clarkson was named in an ABC report last week detailing historic allegations from some Indigenous players.
The racism claims were revealed last week, with Clarkson, his then-assistant Chris Fagan and ex-Hawthorn welfare manager Jason Burt named in the ABC report.
On Saturday, The Age also had a report alleging that Clarkson was unsympathetic to Sam Mitchell, now Hawthorn's coach, when he was playing under him and dealing with family issues.
Clarkson, who was recruited by North Melbourne, and Fagan have stood down from their coaching duties.
"I do not consider this to be a crisis," Kennett said at the best and fairest night.
"When I read the draft report ... I was somewhat flabbergasted - and worse.
"It wasn't a good read. I hope this matter can be resolved quickly by all parties involved."
Kennett said the people interviewed for the report had requested confidentiality and Hawthorn respected that.
"Sadly, they made a decision to talk to the press ... they named people with whom they had very real issues," he said.
"That was unfair to those (people), so therefore we need to have this resolved.
"I don't see this as a crisis - I know this club, I know its history and I know its strength.
Four-time Hawks premiership coach Alastair Clarkson was named in an ABC report detailing historic allegations from some Indigenous players. Source: AAP / DANIEL POCKETT
Kennett also said the issues were historic and called on any Hawthorn employees to tell the club at the time if they believe inappropriate behaviour has happened.
"The one thing the investigation showed was that we have a safe cultural workplace now. So these are issues of the past," he said.
He hopes there can be some form of mediation so any issues can be resolved quickly.
"It could be resolved before the end of the year so people can get on with their lives," he said.
At the end of his speech, Kennett again insisted the Hawks would "overcome" the issue.
"Understand this as being a bump along the highway, but ... it is an important bump and it has to be dealt with professionally," he said.
Brisbane Lions head coach Chris Fagan was an assistant coach at Hawthorn when the the incidents are alleged to have occurred. Source: AAP / JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE
"We have the people, we have the desire and we have that indelible ingredient which is togetherness."
On Saturday, former Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge supported Clarkson and Fagan in a social media post, and Brisbane star Lachie Neale backed Fagan after winning the Lions' best and fairest award on Friday night.
Mitchell did not refer to the latest allegations against Clarkson involving him or the racism claims in his speech at the Hawthorn best and fairest count.
After the story broke last week, Clarkson released a statement, saying he was "shocked" by the allegations.
"I was not interviewed by the authors of the report commissioned by the Club, and nor have I been provided with a copy of the report," he said.
"I was not afforded any due process and I refute any allegation of wrongdoing or misconduct and look forward to the opportunity to be heard as part of the AFL external investigation."
The Brisbane Lions said Fagan also was "not consulted" during the review and he welcomes the investigation.
"The Brisbane Lions and Chris have mutually agreed that he will take a leave of absence from the Club so he can fully cooperate."
