The Hawthorn racism investigation has taken an explosive turn with one couple behind allegations against the club, via their legal representation, rubbishing accounts relayed by one of three men central to claims of serious misconduct against Indigenous former players.
It comes after The Age published former Hawthorn player development manager Jason Burt's comments on his role in alleged incidents involving himself, Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan.
Clarkson recently stepped away from his position as North Melbourne coach indefinitely, while Fagan has been head coach at Brisbane since 2017.
The allegations came to light following an ABC article in the lead up to last year's AFL Grand Final, which itself followed a self-commissioned internal review of the Hawks, carried out by Phil Egan, as a result of Cyril Rioli's criticisms of the treatment he and his partner Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli had received from the club during his career.
Clarkson, Fagan and Burt have denied any wrongdoing.
On Saturday, Burt's versions of events sparked response from 'Zac' and 'Kylie', a couple behind claims the trio of the then-Hawks coaching staff went to their home to forcibly separate their relationship.
Among other concerning incidents, allegations made by other former players and their families include being encouraged to terminate their pregnancy.
"It didn't happen, that's the first thing," Burt told The Age.
According to the Age, Burt said he had discussed the pregnancy with the player, who he said was going through a "turbulent period" of personal circumstances, and admitted he had encouraged the player to relocate with his partner to be closer to the club and away from the influence of some friends, but denied being present for any discussions of an abortion.
Burt also said there was "nothing about passing a test" concerning separate allegations a player felt he was put into a position to decide over having his pregnant partner relocate closer to the club, or focus on his football.
He said 'Jacqui' moved to be alongside 'Liam' with full support of the club.
His retelling of events regarding the breakup of 'Zac' and 'Kylie' have derailed aspects of his, Clarkson and Fagan's claims of innocence around the series of allegations.
It comes after reports the eight month-long investigations by the AFL appointed independent could be brought to a close per a lack of evidence against the three men.
Burt said that he, Clarkson and Fagan went to the couple's home when Zac ended his relationship with his now wife.
He said Zac had expressed some doubts over the relationship, but was unaware of their engagement, something denied by the couple.
In a statement released by their lawyer Judy Courtin, the pair said engagement invitations had been sent around the club, and that Burt had asked if help was needed cancelling the event.
Burt admitted the arrival of all three coaches to facilitate their breakup was a mistake.
"I think that's the part that overstepped the mark from being supportive to what could be deemed intimidating. And I get that and that's what makes me feel uncomfortable," he told The Age.
Burt said he already felt "edgy" about his involvement before Clarkson and Fagan intervened to accompany him.
"In the process, Clarko said, 'I'll come'. Fages said, 'I'll come.' I said. 'I'm already there'," he said.
"It wasn't a pretty discussion and Zac came and delivered the news."
Dr Courtin's statement said the details given by Burt surrounding the incident at her clients' home at at-odds with actual events, and that the process was driven by Clarkson, not instigated by Zac.
She said Zac was "visibly distressed and uncontrollably crying" while Clarkson "dominated and led the discussion".
She said at a meeting prior to the breakup, Zac's mother was invited to attend a meeting with Clarkson and Fagan to discuss the separation of the couple, without Zac's knowledge.
According to the ABC, In response to the breakup Kylie sent panicked emails to the club asking for explanations and a response regarding Zac's welfare after his phone number had been changed and had moved in to live with Burt.
Kylie later had a miscarriage of their own expected child, with Burt delivering the news to Zac, according to their account published in September, 2022.
According to reports, Zac and Kylie have not participated in the investigation for fears of it would lack independence.
Last week, Dr Courtin said while Zac and Kylie feel some sympathy for Clarkson following his exit from North, the pair have been left "traumatised" by the lengthy-invetigation period playing out.
"Part of them doesn't blame Alastair Clarkson. Part of them feels his pain, feels his suffering, and they understand it," Dr Courtin told the ABC.
"On the other hand, what about some recognition and acknowledgement for what they have gone through? What about them? There has been no focus on them.
"There has been no public or even private words of support or acknowledgement or understanding. They're feeling, once again, very much traumatised."
"They want justice but, more than that, they want to heal. They're not out to get anyone in particular, but the spotlight here needs to be on the Hawthorn Football Club.
"The whole thing is the making of the Hawthorn Football Club. They have to own it and fix it."
Dr Courtin expressed a desire to see Hawthorn held accountable for their handling of the situation.
While he acknowledges the sadness of the families involved, Burt he believed "the people involved in this investigation – and the families, particularly the players – left better people, better men, for being at Hawthorn" and fell short of offering an apology.
"Right now, I've got nothing to say sorry for," he told The Age.
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DR COURTIN'S FULL STATEMENT REGARDING HER CLIENTS ZAC AND KYLIE, as published by the Herald Sun:
"What a mess. What a disgrace".
These are the words of my clients.
We represent "Kylie'' and "Zac" in a civil claim for the harm caused to them when "Zac" was a player at the HFC. Last year, the HFC caused a whole new bout of harm to my clients when the findings of its 'Cultural safety Review', in which my clients participated, were reprehensibly mismanaged by the Club.
The Review and its disturbing findings were the making of the club and, thus, its responsibility.
The HFC shamefully shirked that responsibility by relinquishing it to the AFL to fix. But 'fixed' it is not. Battle lines have been entrenched. Too many peoples' lives have been turned upside down, including my clients, and there is no end in sight.
What could have been a restorative and healing process underpinned by the truth, has been seriously corrupted.
"Zac" and ''Kylie'' are lionhearted people. They feel for the suffering of all parties in this regrettable saga, including those accused in the Cultural Safety Review. But my clients want the truth to be told and acknowledged. They want and need some justice and they want to heal.
Jason Burt has come out in today's Age and provided his version of events in relation to my clients.
Whilst our clients are grateful to Jason Burt for acknowledging some elements of the past events, they are disgusted at how they are being downplayed, and in some instances, entirely misrepresented.
Burt talks about the fateful day when he, Clarkson and Fagan took "Zac" to his own home to tell "Kylie" that "Zac" is leaving the relationship.
The day before, Burt had invited "Zac's" mother to a meeting with Clarkson and Fagan to discuss and plan the 'separation' of "Zac" and "Kylie". This was done without "Zac's" knowledge.
Burt says that: "It wasn't a pretty discussion and "Zac" came and delivered the news."
This is incorrect. "Zac", visibly distressed and uncontrollably crying, barely spoke in that meeting and it was Clarkson who dominated and led the discussion.
Our clients say that on this day, Burt and "Kylie's" mum were outside the house and were not privy to the majority of the conversation inside with Clarkson, Fagan, "Zac" and "Kylie".
Further, correspondence from the time speaks to a conversation between Burt and "Kylie" with Burt saying the separation was not instigated by "Zac", rather by Clarkson.
"Kylie" says: "Not once had Jason said "Zac" wanted to end the relationship, in fact it was reiterated to me as entirely the opposite."
Burt, in today's article in the Age, says that he, Clarkson and Fagan met in a corridor and all three decided to go to the meeting at "Zac" and "Kylie's" house. On the other hand, Burt says: "In the process, Clarko said, 'I'll come'. Fages said, 'I'll come.' I said. 'I'm already there'."
Burt stated that he did not know "Zac" and "Kylie" had just become engaged. "Kylie" says: "Jason absolutely knew we were engaged. "Zac" had distributed engagement party invitations at the club prior to the meeting, and after the meeting Burt texted me to see if I needed help cancelling the engagement party".
To counter Burt's views in today's article, "Zac" tells me: "Jason's version is completely inaccurate. I was set to play a game that weekend, I'd gone to training feeling good. I knew exactly where my footy was at, it was speaking for itself'.
"Kylie" and "Zac" question Burt's 'regret' portrayed in today's Age article. After this story broke in September 2022, Burt contacted "Zac's" previous employer and family members seeking 'information' on "Kylie".
"Zac" and "Kylie" insist that the HFC instigated the 'meddling' – the forced separation of "Zac" and "Kylie".
"Zac" says: 'Not only did Burt know that we were engaged, he knew "Kylie" was pregnant with a planned pregnancy'.
My clients say: 'For Burt to insinuate that we left the HFC better people, is insanity. We left that club with scars and significant trauma'.
My clients look forward to the day when they can have a face-to-face meeting with Clarkson, Fagan and Burt. "Zac" and "Kylie" want what is right.
Finally, it was noted in today's Age article, that I declined to comment on Burt's version of events. It was neither possible nor proper to comment when I had not read the article and had not received instructions from my clients. Only now is the right time to comment.
