Alastair Clarkson says it is ‘extraordinary’ he hasn’t spoken to investigators about Hawthorn racism allegations

Alastair Clarkson has stopped short of saying he would attend mediation amid the Hawthorn racism investigation and labelled a part of the process as ‘extraordinary’.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has described the fact that he still hasn’t had the chance to speak to those investigating the Hawthorn racism allegations as “extraordinary” and stopped short of saying he would be willing to attend mediation.

Clarkson’s comments came shortly after Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan released a statement saying he would not commit to mediation if it involved any of the 18 demands that were listed by the lawyers of the alleged victims and reported by the Herald Sun on Saturday.

Fagan, who said he would consider attending mediation in “good faith”, served as one of Clarkson’s lieutenants at Hawthorn during the time when the incidents were alleged to have occurred.

“I’m open to speaking to the investigation panel first and foremost,” Clarkson said when asked if he would consider mediation as well.

“Until such time we get the opportunity to do that, I don’t really want to give too much consideration to anything else except the opportunity to speak to the panel and put forward our story.

“We’re now nearing seven-and-a-half or eight months and we still haven’t had an opportunity to sit in front of them which is extraordinary, really – eight months – so we’re looking forward to the day we get that chance.

“Until such time as we do, we don’t know where this is going.”

Alastair Clarkson. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Clarkson admitted that having the protracted scandal unresolved in the background was impacting his ability to coach “a little bit”, but also said he was able to compartmentalise the situation.

“You’ve just got to get on with what you need to do,” Clarkson said.

“There’s a football side that we need to coach and a job that we need to do, and we’ll just deal with the investigation when it pops up.”

Another off-field drama which has rocked the Kangaroos this year has been the standing down twice of the talented Tarryn Thomas due to concerns relating to his behaviour towards women.

Thomas has been training with North’s VFL team since last month, while taking part in a respectful behaviour program, and played his first game for the reserves on Sunday.

Clarkson said Thomas played “quite well” in gathering 19 disposals during the VFL team’s 66-point win over Sandringham and that the banished Kangaroo could be up for selection as soon as Round 10.

Thomas hasn’t made a senior appearance since Round 15 last year.

“He’s got another week in the VFL program I’m led to believe and then hopefully he’ll be back in the AFL program,” Clarkson said.

“Once he’s back in the AFL program, we’ll just see what his fitness levels are like, what his match condition is like, and if he continues to do what we require him to do then hopefully he’ll be available for selection pretty soon.”

But Clarkson might have even more on his plate in the coming weeks as club great Ben Cunnington’s form continues to wane.

Ben Cunnington was subbed out of the game. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

For the second time in five games, Cunnington, who turns 32 next month, was subbed out after having minimal impact against St Kilda on Sunday evening, with just seven disposals at Marvel Stadium during their 30-point loss.

He suffered the same fate a month ago when he only recorded 10 touches against Carlton, and while he responded by averaging 25 disposals in his next three games, his spot in the team could now be in jeopardy.

“Like any other player, he needs to perform in the role that he’s got,” Clarkson said.

“His role in the side is to be a clearance beast and strong around the contest and he wasn’t providing that for us in the game today unfortunately.”

When asked if Cunnington’s spot in the team was vulnerable, Clarkson said: “We’ll wait and see how that all pans out throughout the week ... he’s got a fair few pennies in the piggy bank. He’s been a ripper for our footy club, he’s a proud man, he’d be disappointed he didn’t perform well today, but I’m sure he’ll bounce back strongly.”

North and St Kilda played one of the ugliest AFL games in modern times in what amounted to a two-hour error fest that produced just 12 goals.

“Did you watch the coronation (of King Charles III)? It might have been more entertaining than the footy this arvo,” Clarkson laughed.

“She was a dour affair ... in terms of the quality of the game as a spectacle and the purities of our game, it wasn’t there on both sides.”

Fagan won’t accept mediation demands

— Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says he will not commit to a mediation resolving the Hawthorn First Nations racism crisis if it involves any of the 18 demands which include compensation, public apologies and termination of legal claims.

The Herald Sun reported on Saturday that lawyers representing four of the five families at the heart of the First Nations racism allegations had made those demands as part of mediation.

The Herald Sun also reported Fagan and North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson were reluctant to be involved in mediation given some of the potential challenges of that process.

Fagan on Sunday said in a statement none of those “demands” had ever been communicated to him or his lawyers.

And he hit out at potential leaks to the Herald Sun given he was committed to keeping silent about the inquiry based on having signed a nondisclosure agreement.

The new developments mean a likely mediation is further than ever away, with Fagan and Clarkson still not having spoken to investigators about the dramatic claims.

The four-person investigative team was revealed by the Herald Sun last October, but seven months on there is little progress.

Chris Fagan coaching Brisbane Lions.

The 18 demands would mean significant concessions would need to be made by Clarkson and Fagan, who have consistently denied all allegations.

Those 18 demands were truth-telling, acknowledgment, explanation, apologies, apologise for conduct of others, public apologies, contrition, education, revised club practices and policies, AFL racism review, recommendations, compensation fund, recapitalisation of the compensation fund, claims process, reparations, joint media statement, non-disparagement agreement, termination of all legal claims.

“I am giving consideration to attending a mediation. I am willing to consider doing so in good

faith with a view to arriving at a consensual resolution, if that is possible,” Fagan said.

“I expect, however, that other potential participants will also approach a potential mediation in good faith. I consider that the making of demands of the kind referred to in the Herald Sun article would be inconsistent with this.

Chris Fagan and Alastair Clarkson during their time together at Hawthorn.

“I wish to make it very clear that I will not be attending a mediation on the basis that I accept any of the 18 supposed demands. As I have said from the outset, I deny categorically any wrongdoing by me.”

Fagan said he was not aware of the demands that were described in the article, which the Herald Sun believes remain a key element to get the Hawthorn First Nations families to the negotiation table.

“No such “demands” have ever been communicated to me or to my lawyers. It would be a matter of concern to me if the report concerning these demands is accurate, as my understanding is that it would be completely contrary to normal practice concerning mediation for a party, or his or her lawyer, to make demands of this kind as a condition of the mediation being held,” he said.

Fagan said he was “deeply concerned that one or more participants in the investigation or their advisers is breaching his or her obligations by causing confidential information concerning the investigation to be imparted to journalists.”

He repeated his previous statement that denied categorically any wrongdoing.

“I have been involved in football coaching or other roles within football clubs for approximately 40 years. I am proud of my work and my conduct. I stand behind it.

“As I referred to in my earlier statements, I deny categorically any wrongdoing by me. I have long been willing to participate in a fair process concerning the allegations against me but everyone has an equal right to fair treatment. I wish no more, and no less, than to be afforded this right.”