Hawthorn racism saga stalemate remains as Federal Court hearing looms

An apology to the Indigenous families involved in the Hawthorn racism saga remains a sticking point as the stalemate threatens to result in a Federal Court hearing.

A second extension in conciliation talks has been agreed to in the Hawthorn racism scandal as the stalemate threatens to lead to a Federal Court hearing.

It’s believed the issue continues to be Hawthorn’s unwillingness to accept a bevy of requests asked by the Indigenous families, which includes an apology and an acknowledgment that they suffered pain, hurt and stress when they were at Hawthorn.

A source said the wording in a response to claims of historic racist behaviour was also an agenda item for the lawyers of former Hawks staffers Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt.

The source said some of the Indigenous players and their partners have been told that the “methodology’’ of how they were treated was not always appropriate.

“That word, methodology, did not sit comfortably with them,” the source said.

“There’s no reference to an apology.”

In June, 2023, Carl Peterson, Cyril Rioli, Shannyn Ahsam-Rioli, Jermaine and Montanah Miller-Lewis and Leon Egan said they had “lost control of our lives” during their time at Hawthorn.

“We were separated from our families,’’ they said.

“We were told an unborn child would ruin our futures. We were treated as special projects and control of our lives was taken from us.’’

It’s believed the Hawks have not yet determined the wording of their response in regards to any potential apology.

“It’s high-stakes now,” the source said. “We have pushback from Hawthorn and the players and their families are united in that – if they don’t get the proper justice they are seeking, they have no problems taking the matter to court.’’

Chris Fagan and Alastair Clarkson have denied the claims. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Clarkson, Fagan and Burt have denied claims of racism.

While compensation to the families and to the coaches continues to be a discussion point, the push for Hawthorn to adopt the framework of Collingwood’s Do Better report is key in the ongoing talks.

The Indigenous players and their families and Hawthorn representatives, as well as Clarkson and Fagan, attended conciliation talks in late March.

Clarkson described the initial dialogue as “productive”.

“That was really productive and a worthwhile two days, but the process is actually incomplete and until such time that it is over, then we’re bound by confidentiality to not discuss anything about the proceedings at all,” Clarkson said.

Originally published as Hawthorn racism saga stalemate remains as Federal Court hearing looms