‘Shameful’: Jeff Kennett urged to resign after Cyril Rioli’s explosive claims

There are calls for Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett to resign after Cyril Rioli opened up on his ugly departure from the Hawks.

There are calls for Jeff Kennett to resign as Hawthorn president over his comments towards Cyril Rioli's wife.

There are calls for Jeff Kennett to resign as Hawthorn president after former Hawks star Cyril Rioli revealed his decision to retire prematurely in 2018 was influenced by an offensive comment Kennett made to his wife, Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli.

The Age reports it stemmed from an incident at Launceston Airport during Indigenous round of that year, with what Cyril described as the “final straw” of a string of other events with regards to the Hawks’ relationship with their Indigenous players.

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It’s believed Kennett commented on Shannyn’s designer ripped jeans at the airport, offering loose change to help sew them up — comments he claims was a joke.

“I felt belittled and humiliated,” Shannon told The Age.

“The club kept saying I was overreacting, but they were portraying me as the angry black woman. They said later I had wanted to go home to Darwin for a while. That’s not right.”

In the fallout Cyril missed training and it led to crisis meetings at Hawthorn involving the likes of Kennett, football boss Graham Wright, coach Alastair Clarkson, Cyril’s manager Adam Ramanauskas and teammate Shaun Burgoyne.

The Riolis detailed multiple allegations of racist behaviour at the club, including one incident where a “senior player” asked teammates on a post-season trip in 2013 whether the partner of an Indigenous player who was present at the time was “also a b***g”.

Shannyn and Cyril at the 2016 Brownlow Medal. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Shannyn also stated she twice urged the club to improve its poor cultural awareness practices without significant actions being taken in response.

The Riolis returned to Melbourne after two weeks in Darwin where Shannyn said Kennett spoke over her during a meeting in the offices of Rioli’s TLA management. It paved the way for Cyril to announce his retirement days later.

Cyril remained keen to keep his distance from the club, particularly while Kennett is still president, and doubts he’ll attend next year’s 10-year premiership reunion.

He was open to helping other teams — potentially the Tigers or Eagles — where he has family ties.

“But I wouldn’t go back to Hawthorn after what’s gone on. It’s the only club I wouldn’t put my hand up for right now,” he said.

Kennett is due to step down as president at the end of June, but prominent Hawthorn supporter group Hawks for Change have called on the former Victorian premier to resign immediately.

There are calls for Jeff Kennett to resign as Hawthorn president. Photo: Michael Klein

Hawks for Change said in a statement: “Jeff Kennett’s disrespect of the Rioli family is the latest shameful example of why he is not fit to serve as President of our beloved football club. Jeff Kennett, through his actions, has again brought the reputation of the Hawthorn Football Club into disrepute.

“Cyril Rioli has confirmed he will not re-engage with the Hawthorn Football Club while Jeff Kennett remains associated with the club. This is no way to treat a four-time Hawthorn premiership player.

“Hawks for Change now calls on Jeff Kennett to resign immediately and directors of the Hawthorn Football Club must take a stand and seek Jeff’s resignation today.

“When Eddie McGuire realised he had done the wrong thing he resigned.

“For the good of the mighty Hawthorn Football Club Jeff Kennett must go.”

Cyril, the 2015 Norm Smith medallist and three-time All-Australian, played 189 games for Hawthorn during a golden era for the club when it won four premierships.

Hawthorn full statement

“Racism in all shapes and forms is unacceptable”.

“We are sorry that Cyril and Shannyn experienced these incidents during their time at the club,” the statement read.

“We are saddened these experiences have left them feeling the way they do.

“Combating racism and educating everyone both within our own walls and in the community is something we are constantly working on and believe we are getting better at. But there is always more work to be done.

“We are committed to reconciliation and ensuring our First Nations players are culturally safe and have a voice that is both listened to and acted upon.

“At Hawthorn, all of our staff and players deserve to be respected.

“Our doors will always be open to Cyril and Shannyn.”

Cyril Rioli won four premierships with the Hawks. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Hawks for Change full statement

“Hawks for Change is deeply disappointed and concerned by reports that Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett made highly inappropriate remarks which led to distress for Cyril Rioli, his wife and their family which resulted in their subsequent departure from the Hawthorn Football Club.

“Jeff Kennett’s disrespect of the Rioli family is the latest shameful example of why he is not fit to serve as President of our beloved football club. Jeff Kennett, through his actions, has again brought the reputation of the Hawthorn Football Club into disrepute.

“Cyril Rioli has confirmed he will not re-engage with the Hawthorn Football Club while Jeff Kennett remains associated with the club. Cyril told The Age “I wouldn’t want to be there while he’s (Jeff Kennett) there”. This is no way to treat a four-time Hawthorn premiership player.

“We are disappointed to see further reports in the media today about previous inappropriate behaviour including Jeff proudly talking in the media about owning a golliwog called “Buddy”.

“Thanks to Hawks for Change, Jeff previously agreed to step down by 30 June 2022.

“Hawks for Change now calls on Jeff Kennett to resign immediately and directors of the Hawthorn Football Club must take a stand and seek Jeff’s resignation today.

“When Eddie McGuire realised he had done the wrong thing he resigned.

“Under the new leadership of Sam Mitchell, the Hawthorn Football Club is fiercely united on the field, but under the stale leadership of Jeff Kennett our Club is clearly divided off it.

“Hawks for Change will continue our campaign for greater diversity and democracy in the leadership of our Club.

“For the good of the mighty Hawthorn Football Club Jeff Kennett must go.”