In the wake of a racism scandal that sent shockwaves through the Australian Football League, the Hawthorn Football Club is embarking on a critical mission – repairing fractured relationships with Indigenous former players and healing deep wounds within the organization.
The saga, which came to light in September 2022, centered around allegations of unlawful discrimination leveled against the club and several key figures, including legendary former coach Alastair Clarkson. The claims, brought forth by ex-player Cyril Rioli and other Indigenous former Hawks, painted a disturbing picture of pressured family separations and pregnancy terminations.
After months of turmoil and an AFL investigation that found no definitive wrongdoing, the involved parties reached a settlement last week following two days of intense mediation. The joint statement announcing the resolution notably specified that it was achieved “without determination of any parties’ allegations” – a careful threading of the needle in a complex and emotionally charged situation.
The Path to Reconciliation
With the legal chapter closed, Hawthorn now faces the monumental task of mending broken bonds and rebuilding trust. Club president Andy Gowers, speaking publicly for the first time since the settlement, acknowledged there are “multiple answers” to repairing relationships, but emphasized that it starts with “the human side.”
“One of the keys, without talking out of school, is that we focused on what unites us and what we really wanted to do, and the last thing that I wanted, and the last thing that our club wanted was to get to a resolution that didn’t involve repairing those relationships.”
– Andy Gowers, Hawthorn Football Club president
While Gowers couldn’t delve into specifics of the mediation, he described it as “an incredibly special couple of days” that “meant a hell of a lot.” Crucially, it provided the first opportunity for the club and affected players to sit down together and work towards a resolution.
A Culture Under Scrutiny
The racism allegations, and the subsequent fallout, cast an unflattering spotlight on Hawthorn’s club culture and the welfare of its Indigenous players. Clarkson, Fagan, and Burt have all vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and the AFL probe did not make any adverse findings against the trio.
However, the mere fact that such serious claims were made suggests deeper issues that need to be addressed. As Gowers noted, this saga is about “Hawthorn people, some of whom have felt not great about their time or a period of time with their association” with the club.
“We’re doing everything that we can to repair those relationships and let people heal. Because that’s been, for me, the biggest thing about this matter has been the hurt that people have experienced.”
– Andy Gowers, Hawthorn Football Club president
The Long Road Ahead
Hawthorn’s leadership deserves credit for acknowledging the pain caused and committing to the hard work of relationship-building. But the road ahead is long and complex.
Repairing trust, changing ingrained aspects of club culture, and ensuring the wellbeing of all players – especially those from Indigenous backgrounds – is a multi-layered process that will take time, empathy, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
As much as the Hawks might want to put this saga behind them and move forward, they must be prepared for setbacks and difficult conversations. Reconciliation is not a straightforward path, but a winding journey that requires patience, open-mindedness, and a steadfast commitment to doing better.
Indigenous Voices Must Be Centered
Perhaps most importantly, Hawthorn must ensure that Indigenous voices are centered and amplified as they navigate this process. The affected players and their families have shown immense courage in coming forward, and their perspectives and experiences should guide the club’s reconciliation efforts.
This may require uncomfortable conversations, a reevaluation of power dynamics, and a willingness to cede control and listen deeply. It may mean making space for Indigenous leadership, cultural education, and community outreach.
Above all, it demands a recognition that “walking together,” as Gowers put it, means being led by those who have been harmed. Only by humbly seeking to understand and address their needs can true healing begin.
A Watershed Moment for the AFL
The Hawthorn racism saga, while painful and damaging, also presents an opportunity for growth – not just for the club, but for the entire AFL. It has exposed the insidious nature of systemic racism and the need for constant vigilance and proactive reform.
Every club should be closely examining their own culture, policies, and treatment of Indigenous players in light of these events. The league as a whole must reckon with its history and take concrete steps to create a more inclusive, supportive environment for all.
This may involve stricter oversight, harsher penalties for discrimination, greater Indigenous representation in leadership roles, and a sustained investment in cultural competency training and community engagement. It will require a collective commitment to uprooting racism in all its forms, both blatant and subtle.
The Hawthorn story is a sobering reminder that the fight against racism is ongoing and that the AFL still has significant work to do. But it’s also an opportunity to catalyze real, lasting change – if the league and its clubs are willing to confront hard truths and take meaningful action.
The Power of Sport to Heal and Unite
In the end, the Hawthorn Football Club’s journey of reconciliation is a microcosm of the larger societal challenge to address and dismantle racism. It’s a daunting task, but also an essential one.
Sport has a unique power to bring people together, to bridge divides, and to model the kind of inclusive, respectful culture we want to see in the world. By facing their past failings head-on and working tirelessly to rebuild trust and relationships, Hawthorn has the opportunity to lead by example.
Their success or failure in this endeavor will have ripple effects far beyond the football field. It will send a message about what kind of club they want to be, what kind of league the AFL aspires to become, and what kind of society we all hope to build.
The road ahead is uncertain and the work will be hard. But if Hawthorn can summon the courage, empathy, and determination to truly walk together with their Indigenous brothers and sisters, they have the chance to emerge stronger, wiser, and more united than ever before. And in doing so, they just might help guide us all toward a more just and compassionate future.
