Alastair Clarkson thankful for two days of talks with Hawthorn players including Cyril Rioli

Alastair Clarkson spent two days face-to-face with Hawthorn premiership player Cyril Rioli, talking through allegations of racism.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says he is ‘grateful’ for two days of conciliation talks with former Hawthorn players this week. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

Alastair Clarkson says he’s grateful he had the chance for a “really productive” mediation with former Hawthorn players including Cyril Rioli that remains incomplete after the two-day talks in Melbourne this week.

The North Melbourne coach said the conciliation sessions, which were also attended by Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, had been fruitful but he was unable to discuss details due to a confidentiality agreement.

Clarkson and Fagan came face-to-face with the players for the first time since they were accused of historic racist behaviour 18 months ago.

The two coaches have categorically denied the claims made by the players.

He thanked the Human Rights Commission for holding the talks on Tuesday and Wednesday in a bid to avoid the case moving to Federal Court.

“Could I start this by expressing my gratitude to the Human Rights Commission for providing the platform for us to all get together and try to resolve a dispute that’s been ongoing for the past 18 months,” Clarkson said on Thursday.

“The last two days have represented the first chance that we’ve had to sit down together and do what you should always do in trying to resolve difficult situations, and that’s talk about it.

Alastair Clarkson says he’s quickly shifted his focus back to the Kangaroos after missing two days of training for the conciliation talks. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

“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 and Fagan were both unable to take training sessions while attending the talks, but the Kangaroos coach said he had quickly readjusted to the task at hand when his side faces Carlton in the Good Friday Superclash.

“It’s amazing how you compartmentalise and get things done – it was a really important step to take, and as I said we’re really grateful that the Human Rights Commission provided that platform for us,” Clarkson said.

“I appreciate all the questioning about it, but I also respect that we’re not at liberty to discuss anything about it.”

Originally published as Alastair Clarkson thankful for two days of talks with Hawthorn players including Cyril Rioli