Hawthorn racism scandal: Shocking allegations against coach Alastair Clarkson, president Jeff Kennett emerge

Three former Hawthorn players have given explosive detailed accounts of their experiences in court documents filed in their racism case against the club, including how the coach allegedly told one of them to “break up” with their partner and “terminate” their pregnancy.

Cyril Rioli, who won four premierships with Hawthorn, is the lead applicant in a Federal Court case alleging he suffered distress, psychological and cultural harm, as well as loss of earnings due to widespread racism at Hawthorn.

Rioli’s wife Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, former players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, his partner Montanah-Rae Lewis, and Hawthorn’s former Indigenous liaison officer Leon Egan are co-plaintiffs in the action.

Central to the claims are those made by Kununurra-raised Peterson, who alleges he was told to end the relationship he had with partner Nikita Rotumah and terminate their pregnancy during the 2009 season.

Peterson alleges he was called into a meeting with then-coach Alastair Clarkson, welfare officer Jason Burt and head of football Chris Fagan.

“Mr Burt said words to the effect: ‘Carl, being a father is a huge responsibility and we don’t think you’re ready to be a father’,” the statement of claim says.

“Mr Clarkson said words to the effect: “Carl, you need to break up with Nikita and focus only on your football . . . unless you break up with her and tell her to terminate the pregnancy, your football career will be in jeopardy’. Mr Fagan nodded his head during the meeting.”

Peterson claims he was told he had an hour to respond.

The court documents say Peterson was left feeling “highly distressed and anxious” about what he had just been told, and felt as though he had to comply.

About 30 minutes later, he called Ms Rotumah and ended the relationship, telling her that it was “not a good idea that she have the baby”.

Mr Burt then allegedly told Peterson he would be staying at his house and was bought a new SIM card and told it would be best that he no longer communicate with Ms Rotumah.

“During the time he stayed at Mr Burt’s house, Mr Peterson felt that he was being locked away from the outside world and that the only interaction with others that was permitted by Hawthorn was with his teammates at training,” the statement of claim says.

Ms Rotumah did not terminate the pregnancy and the pair resumed their relationship a few months later.

Peterson also said the club hosted a birthday dinner for him but “did not invite his Indigenous friends”.

He further alleges that during a visit to the young family’s house the following year, Clarkson said words to the effect: “This house is nice, you have the kids’ artwork up and it’s nice and clean. You should invite your teammates over for dinner and things. For all they know you’re living in a shack in the desert somewhere.”

Clarkson now coaches North Melbourne.

The claim also revealed four-time premiership defender Grant Birchall as the player who allegedly made a racial slur in reference to the partner of former Hawk-turned-Saint Bradley Hill.

“At an end of season player’s trip, an Indigenous player (Mr Bradley Hill) was asked by a non-Indigenous player (Mr Grant Birchall) whether Mr Hill’s partner was also a ‘boong’,” it is alleged.

“Mr Hill told Mr Rioli of this comment at the first pre-season training session around late November 2013 . . . Hawthorn did not take any action in response to this incident.”

The 89-page document also alleged that a meeting called in 2015 to discuss the booing of all-time great Sydney player Adam Goodes and a planned player boycott, was derailed when Clarkson brought a guitar and sung “a song about Mr Rioli”.

And it details an incident in 2018 — shortly before Rioli left the club — when Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett allegedly remarked on Ms Sam-Rioli’s ripped jeans at the airport after the Indigenous round in Tasmania.

“Can’t you afford to buy thread?” Mr Kennett allegedly said, before grabbing his pocket and remarking, “I’ll give you change so you can afford to buy thread to stitch those jeans up.”

In a statement, Hawthorn president Andy Gowers said: “As we have done throughout this process, we will continue to work towards a resolution in a fair and timely manner for all parties.”

“The Federal Court process will importantly give Hawthorn Football Club the opportunity to respond to these allegations.

“Given the matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to make any kind of comment that could impact on that process.”