Hawthorn president Andy Gowers concedes says it might be “too soon”, however he hopes premiership coach Alastair Clarkson will attend a 10-year premiership reunion later this season as he referred to as for a swift finish to the continued racism investigation.
Gowers says he nonetheless needs the membership to fix its relationship with Clarkson a fortnight after he slammed his former membership as “shameful” in its dealing with of the racism investigation that has led to Clarkson stepping away from the sport and the resignation of Hawthorn chief government Justin Reeves on Wednesday.
Amid experiences the AFL has shut down its investigation and mediation has been deserted, Gowers mentioned he wished the matter delivered to a fast finish, including he hoped all events may really feel peace afterwards.
“There are processes under way at the moment that constitute a review – there’s an official one by the AFL, so I don’t want to get ahead of that,” Gowers mentioned.
“The sooner it is wrapped up, the better for everybody involved … it will help in a number of ways, and the sooner it happens fairly and justly, the better.
“Sonja Hood’s comments, that were actually borrowed from Stan Grant, ‘building bridges, not battle lines’, are so apt in this situation, and I look forward to building amongst former families of our club and former coaches and staff of our club.”
Clarkson’s relationship with the membership he guided to 4 premierships has been shattered by occasions of the previous 9 months.
The celebration of Hawthorn’s 2013 premiership win over Fremantle, for which a date is but to set, appeared a “logical time” for Clarkson to reconnect with the membership, Gowers mentioned.
“One hundred per cent that’s my hope … there’s a small part of his heart that beats brown and gold, and I hope that section of his heart gets a bit bigger,” he mentioned.
“Is it too soon? We’ll see, but it sounds like a logical time to formally step back into the club. If we make that happen it would be fantastic.
“But let’s see what we can achieve there … the first thing that has to happen is Alastair needs to be well – that’s No.1.”
He mentioned Reeves, who give up the membership for psychological well being and wellbeing causes after practically six seasons as chief government, would hopefully not be misplaced to soccer or the Hawks.
“I think you saw from his statement that it’s pretty clear he’s doing it tough … this situation with the First Nations investigation in particular, on top of running a very big club with a lot happening, it takes its toll on everybody,” Gowers mentioned.
“(Wednesday) was a tough day for our club … and we wish Justin every, every bit of support and health that he can get in.
“(Reeves) is a great football person – he’s not going to be lost to our club because his son Ned plays here, and he also is a big fan of our AFLW program.
“I am incredibly confident that we’ll be seeing him at the football regularly, so the relationship is not over, it just is as our CEO.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
