AFL set to end Hawthorn investigation, exonerate Alastair Clarkson

Days after he stepped away from coaching, Alastair Clarkson is set to be exonerated as the AFL moves to end the Hawthorn investigation.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 07: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos looks on during the 2023 AFL Round 08 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on May 7, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Alastair Clarkson is reportedly likely to be exonerated by the AFL as the league is set to bring the Hawthorn racism investigation to an end.

The Age reports the AFL is moving to wind up the investigation of allegations of historical racism at Hawthorn.

According to the report, the league has concluded Clarkson, Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan and former Hawthorn player development manager Jason Burt have no case to answer for based on available evidence.

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A proposed mediation is set to take place in Adelaide next Tuesday, but it’s unlikely Clarkson, Fagan and Burt will take part.

The Herald Sun reports four families of First Nations players and their partners are planning to attend the mediation session.

But the league’s eight-month investigation is effectively over as the AFL looks to a different avenue to reach a resolution to the saga.

The AFL is set to wrap up the Hawthorn investigation. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Retired federal court judge John Middleton has now been brought in by the AFL to review the evidence, proving a further check before the four-member independent panel investigating the allegations finishes up.

While Clarkson, Fagan and Burt are likely to escape sanctions, there remains a possibility Hawthorn could reach agreements with the First Nations players and their partners.

That could include financial settlements or expressions of regret about their trauma.

The AFL world was shocked on Thursday when North Melbourne announced Clarkson would be stepping away from the game for an indefinite period as he deals with the ongoing impact of the investigation.

The four-time premiership-winning coach returned to the hot seat this year at the Kangaroos but has been dealing with the fallout from the Hawthorn saga since beginning his new role.

Clarkson has maintained his innocence but last week blasted the Hawks and the process for failing to give him a right of reply more than eight months after the allegations were first made.

North Melbourne president Sonja Hood said there was no timeline on when Clarkson would return, with assistant Brett Ratten to take over as interim coach.

Clarkson and Chris Fagan are set to be exonerated. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said the investigation “should be stood down” and believes Clarkson won’t improve his health until that happens.

Kennett, president of Hawthorn from 2005-2011 and again from 2017-2022, believes the investigation should be stopped immediately.

“I’m very sorry that (Clarkson’s) had to stand down for health reasons,” Kennett told Channel 7. “And I, like I think everyone else, wish him a speedy recovery.

“Can I say though, that will not happen while this current inquiry is allowed to continue.

“The inquiry should be stood down, a former judge should be appointed with the powers from the government of a judicial inquiry.

“And then those making the claims will have their claims properly tested in a court and give the three individuals who have been named the opportunity to present and, as Alastair says, clear their name.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said football would be “worse off” if Clarkson did not return to the AFL.

Four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis, who played under Clarkson, said the Hawks had “lost control” and “there are people at Hawthorn with blood on their hands”.