Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett breaks silence on allegations of past mistreatment

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has broken his silence after allegations of past mistreatment of First Nations players rocked the AFL.

Jeff Kennett of the Hawthorn Hawks. Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has broken his silence after allegations of past mistreatment of First Nations players rocked the football community last week.

A report of an external review into the Hawthorn football club included unsubstantiated allegations that key figures at the Hawks were responsible for the shocking mistreatment of the club’s Indigenous players.

ABC Sport reported the review alleges senior staff at Hawthorn demanded the separation of First Nations players from their partners and pressured one player and his partner to terminate a pregnancy for the sake of his career.

In a lengthy statement to Hawthorn members on Thursday evening, Kennett lamented that those accused were denied the opportunity to respond to the “heartbreaking” allegations.

“When the club received the final report, it would be an understatement to say we were horrified at the stories that three of our past players and their partners had recorded. If the allegations were true, these individuals, and their families, have been subjected to some horrific and unacceptable behaviours,” Kennett wrote.

“The review was never meant to be forensic. We wanted to hear from our past and present First Nations players about their experiences at Hawthorn and their current wellbeing.

“The Board met to consider the final review and, because of the severity of the contents, decided to inform senior officials at the AFL about the stories that were contained within the review. The Board further decided that the review had to be given to the AFL’s Integrity Unit, as is required under the club’s AFL license, and because it was a key recommendation of the review. We also believed that we as a club did not have the personnel or the skillset to take the matter further.

“After submitting the review to the AFL, we were then informed that certain members of the families of those who told their story had also been interviewed by an ABC journalist.

“Their story was then published by the ABC shortly after that.

“A solution must be found quickly, and all parties should be prepared to work towards a solution, because not to do so will impact heavily on all involved.”

Jeff Kennett, President of the Hawthorn Football Club. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

On Wednesday afternoon, four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson released a statement with regards to the allegations.

Clarkson has stepped aside from his role at North Melbourne, due to begin on November 1, as an investigation gets underway into the accusations. He has denied any wrongdoing.

“Since learning of the allegations first reported in the media last Wednesday I have been shocked and deeply distressed,” the statement read.

“It remains profoundly disappointing that these matters are now being widely canvassed in the public domain without the opportunity being given to me or others to give our accounts or even read the Hawthorn report, which to this day I have not seen.

“The further recent publication of purported extracts from the report means I now have grave concerns that any chance of a fair process and just outcome have been seriously undermined, if not irrevocably corrupted.

“The failure to maintain the confidentiality of the review and further damaging public speculation means I have no option but to express publicly, in the strongest and most emphatic terms possible, that I did not behave in the manner claimed.

“I believe the genuine affection I held for all the players who walked through the doors into Hawthorn is well known. I have always appreciated and respected the unique journeys of First Nations players into the highest echelons of Australian Rules Football.

“I have been committed to acknowledging and understanding their many varied experiences and brought all my efforts to ensuring these players are given the opportunity to realise their dreams.

“But not at any cost, and never at the cost of their families as has been alleged. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and deeply offensive.

“People who know me will understand how important family is to me. I have always carried this value into every organisation I have worked with.

Alastair Clarkson, former coach of the Hawks. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I acknowledge how difficult it is for any player, and in particular First Nations players to tell their stories about deeply personal matters and I respect every player that has spoken to either the ABC or Phil Egan as part of the Hawthorn Football Club process. Every person has their story and the right to tell it.

“However, as the allegations against me have been spread widely and sometimes presented as indisputable matters of fact, I must state that my clear memory of the matters reported is very different. I will continue to co-operate with the AFL and I am trying to retain my trust that it will put in place a fair, respectful and supportive process for all involved.

“However, I will not hesitate to take further steps to protect my position and reputation should that be necessary.

“I do not intend to make any further comment publicly on the process or on further media reports.”

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed the league would form an external four-person panel to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.