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Hawthorn’s three-time premiership captain Luke Hodge has thrown his support behind embattled coaches Alistair Clarkson and Chris Fagan during an “extremely difficult time” for the duo.
Clarkson, Fagan and other former senior Hawthorn officials, including Jason Burt and Andrew Newbold, were named in a damning report about the treatment of former First Nations players at the club.
Some of the allegations included separating players from their partners and, in one of the most disturbing allegations, telling a player to insist his pregnant partner have an abortion.
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Hodge, who played 301 AFL games under Clarkson and Fagan – after heading to Brisbane to finish his career – said both coaches “always wanted the best for me and my family”.
While admitting he could not “speak to the controversial allegations” made in the Hawthorn racism report, Hodge said he was willing to share his personal experiences with Clarkson and Fagan in a strongly worded statement.
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“Alastair Clarkson shaped me into the person I am today,” he said.
“Inheriting a bit of a brat from Kolak, he was never afraid to give me the honest truths I needed.
“It was hard to hear that at times, but it came extremely from a place of love and concern for me and my future.”
Hodge said Clarkson had shown nothing but support for him and his wife Lauren as they started a family, claiming the coach was “the one I turned to”.
“He always shared his own stories and helped me feel comfortable in my own skin,” he said.
Defending Fagan, Hodge described the Lions coach as “the most extraordinary mentor and confidant”.
“Such is the trust and faith I have in Chris Fagan as a person, I moved my whole family interstate just because he ran this club,” Hodge said.
“I’m so proud and not the least bit surprised by the culture he’s created and what he’s built in Brisbane.
“The work that Jason Burt has done to help young and not-so-young players transition into and out of football has been simply tireless,” added Hodge.
Hodge explained why he chose to make a statement after the report on the treatment of First Nations players came out last month.
“I just had to show support in a difficult time for those who did just that for me during the more challenging times of my life,” he wrote.
“My experience with each of these men is that they have always wanted the best for me and my family, and I wish them well during this extremely challenging time for all involved.”
Hodge is the first former Hawk to issue a strong statement in support of both Clarkson and Fagan.
Lions players have rallied around Fagan in recent weeks with their support as he took personal leave from the club.
Hodge’s backing comes after The Age published a report of alleged “controlling behaviour” towards former Hawks captain Sam Mitchell in 2011.
An AFL investigation into the report’s allegations of racism is due to be launched, although there is still controversy over whether the families involved in the initial interviews will take part in the AFL process.
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