Hawthorn racism scandal ‘probably cuts a little deeper’ for Cyril Rioli, former teammate reveals ahead of landmark human rights commission case
- Jordan Lewis played at Hawthorn with Rioli
- Rioli is one of four members to bring a racism investigation to the HRC
- Lewis said their open letter was difficult to read and wants a solution
Ex-Hawthorn star Jordan Lewis admits reading his former teammates’ explosive open letter was difficult as the families at the center of the club’s AFL racism investigation take their case to the Human Rights Commission.
Cyril Rioli, Shannyn Ahsam-Rioli, Carl Peterson, Jermaine Miller-Lewis, Montanah Miller-Lewis and former Indigenous manager Leon Egan co-authored an open letter detailing alleged racist behavior within the club.
This development follows AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan’s announcement that the independent investigation involving Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt has been completed and all three men deny the allegations against them.
In the open letter, the players wrote: “We are some of the Indigenous families who have endured racism at Hawthorn Football Club.
“We were separated from our families. We were told that an unborn child would ruin our future. We were treated as special projects and control of our lives was taken away from us.
“We told our truths in confidence because we believed it would bring about change. And because we had to heal and move on. That trust has been betrayed.’
Rioli (far left) and Lewis (second from left) were together AFL premiership winning teammates with the Hawthorn Hawks
Lewis said the letter from Rioli and other family members was difficult to read and he hopes a solution can be found
Rioli retired from the game at a young age and is now one of the members bringing the racism inquiry to the Human Rights Commission
Lewis, who starred alongside Rioli and Peterson, told Fox Footy that the open letter was difficult to read, but he hoped a solution could be found.
“It was hard for anyone to read,” Lewis said.
Knowing the person, it probably cuts a little deeper.
His experience [Rioli] is not as good as I imagined.
“Those guys have been named now, so they will go through due process.
“Hopefully we will get a solution for everyone sometime in the near future.
“They want people to speak openly and hear two sides of the story, give context about everything that happened.
“I think it’s great not only for the other party, but especially for Cyril and those people not to have to hide behind aliases now.”
Champion Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews said the escalation could force mediation between the parties
Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan were at Hawthorn during the period under investigation by the AFL, but the governing body said they had no reason to answer
AFL icon Leigh Matthews, while discussing the Hawthorn racism investigation scandal on 3AW Football, suggested that because of the way it has unfolded in the media, “forced mediation” could be the most beneficial solution.
“Had they actually sent this letter or had this position in September last year before it all got out of hand, a mediation or a consultant to talk it through might have been possible,” he said.
“But as soon as that ABC article came out, it all went out the door. Mediation can still happen now because it is almost forced mediation.
“But now that you know, or people are willing to disclose those who have the complaints, I suspect you’re more likely to think, ‘Okay, you named yourself, we can talk now.’
“But if they remained anonymous, why bother consulting or talking to people who don’t even name themselves?”