The detailed allegations of racism against the Hawthorn Football Club have been publicly disclosed, focusing on the experiences of three AFL players, including former star Cyril Rioli. The revelations outline troubling interactions between club staff and Indigenous players, shedding light on serious accusations of discrimination.
In 2022, allegations emerged accusing former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, his ex-assistant Chris Fagan, and former welfare manager Jason Burt of unlawful discrimination. The allegations involve disturbing claims such as coercing Indigenous players into family separations and pressuring them to terminate pregnancies.
Cyril Rioli, who celebrated four premierships with Hawthorn under Clarkson’s guidance, is the principal complainant in a Federal Court case against the club. His wife, Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, former players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, his partner Montanah-Rae Lewis, and former Indigenous liaison officer Leon Egan are also involved in the case.
Clarkson, who is currently the head coach at North Melbourne, and Fagan, who now coaches Brisbane, alongside Burt, vehemently deny the accusations of racism and misconduct.
The court documents reveal an incident from the 2011 off-season when Clarkson reportedly visited Rioli in Darwin. Allegedly, Clarkson advised Rioli to avoid having children, suggesting that such a development could disrupt or even end his burgeoning career. In a separate event in 2017, when Rioli traveled to be with his family due to his father’s heart attack, Clarkson made an unexpected visit to the Alice Springs hospital. Rioli has claimed that during this visit, Clarkson made a comment questioning why some Aboriginal people have darker skin than he does.
Further allegations from the documents involve a 2013 end-of-season trip where former Hawks player Grant Birchall allegedly asked Indigenous teammate Bradley Hill if his partner was a “boong.” Hill reportedly informed Rioli and Ms. Ah-Sam Rioli about the comment, but it appears Hawthorn took no action regarding the incident.
Carl Peterson has alleged that in 2009, Burt expressed disapproval of his relationship with Nikita Rotumah. After Rotumah became pregnant, Peterson was summoned to a meeting with Clarkson, Fagan, and Burt, where Clarkson reportedly pressured him to end the relationship and terminate the pregnancy to avoid jeopardizing his football career. The documents claim that Clarkson explicitly told Peterson his career would be at risk if he did not comply, and Fagan allegedly endorsed this ultimatum.
Jermaine Miller-Lewis has described attempts by the club to separate him from his partner, Montanah Rae Lewis, following the birth of their child. Miller-Lewis’s mental health reportedly suffered as a result. His requests for Ms. Lewis and their child to visit him in Melbourne were allegedly denied, with one instance cited where it was claimed the visit would be a “distraction” from his career.
These allegations paint a disturbing picture of the alleged discriminatory practices and negligence at Hawthorn, highlighting the emotional and psychological distress, as well as financial losses, suffered by the players due to what is described as “culturally harmful conduct,” including invasive family control and racial stereotyping.
