Alastair Clarkson has unloaded on the Hawthorn Football Club and the panel investigating alleged racism from coaching staff involving former Indigenous players during the club's premiership period.
News broke of explosive claims of the experiences of three Hawks broke in grand final week last year.
Findings into the allegations were due to be handed down before the end of 2022 after the appointment of an independent panel of investigators.
The process has extended over months as challenges have presented, including decisions by families against sharing some sensitive details.
Clarkson, now at North Melbourne, and current Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, who were head and assistant coaches at the Hawks during the period in question, have not yet been investigated.
Jason Clark, former Hawthorn development manager, is also central to the claims.
All three have denied any wrongdoing.
In a press conference at Ardern St on Thursday, Clarkson was strongly critical of lead-investigator Bernard Quinn KC releasing details of the probe the previous evening.
"(It's) a bit intriguing that the guy who actually establishes the protocol around confidentiality actually breaches it yesterday," Clarkson said.
"We're (Clarkson, Fagan and Burt) just waiting for the opportunity, and the platform, to be able to tell our side story.
"Eight months later, we still haven't heard when or how it's all going to unfold. So that will hopefully transpire in the next little while."
Clarkson said all three have been willing to cooperate "from the get go".
The four-time premiership coach said he had no intention of asking Quinn why he released the information but that the process at large has taken its toll on many.
"What's the point? It's out there. It's done," Clarkson said.
"Just like all the other supposedly confidential leaks that have been pushed through the media, what's the point arguing about it? It's done.
"The damage is done, the reputations have been scarred and we've got to somehow just claw our reputations back through this whole process.
"The game is the victim of this.
"The game has been shamed, obviously myself Fages (Fagan) and Jase (Burt) and our families have been shamed.
"The Indigenous and First Nations families, they've been shamed."
Later, Clarkson zeroed-in at his former club, calling for Hawthorn to be investigated for "shameful" governance and conduct.
"There's one particular party out there that was the catalyst for all this that haven't been investigated at all," he said.
"Their governance and conduct in this whole thing, the Hawthorn Football Club, it's just shameful.
"Just do an investigation on them and their practices and see how they go."
Clarkson had also hinted towards speculation the matter is bound to play out in court.
"Once we get that opportunity (of response) then we'll let the judges decide. But that'll either be a court of law, or the court of public opinion, in my view at this stage."
In a string of articles last week, The Age reported both Clarkson and Fagan were "reluctant" to contribute to a mediation process with parties involved investigations, one being Hawthorn.
It was later reported mediations hinged on 18 demands put in front of the two coaches and Burt.
They are said to include:
1- Truth-telling. 2- Acknowledgment. 3- Explanation. 4- Apologies. 5- Apologise for conduct of others. 6- Public apologies. 7- Contrition. 8- Education. 9- Revised club practices and policies. 10- AFL racism review. 11- Recommendations. 12- Compensation fund. 13- Re-capitalisation of the compensation fund. 14- Claims process. 15- Reparations. 16- Joint media statement. 17- Non-disparagement agreement. 18- Termination of all legal claims.
In a statement released by Fagan on Sunday, the Brisbane coach said "no such "demands" have ever been communicated to me or to my lawyers" among taking umbrage with what he called "inaccurate and highly inappropriate comments" made in the articles.
"It would be a matter of concern to me if the report concerning these demands is accurate, as my understanding is that it would be completely contrary to normal practice concerning mediation for a party, or his or her lawyer, to make demands of this kind as a condition of the mediation being held," he wrote.
Fagan later said he would "consider" attending mediation "in good faith with a view to arriving at a consensual resolution".
In response, Clarkson reportedly said "I'm open to speaking to the investigation panel first and foremost," and when quizzed on the matter on Thursday chose not to comment further.
