Footy star Cyril Rioli's hidden return plan under Alastair Clarkson at the Kangaroos surfaces, revealing the secret weeks before the 2022 Hawthorn racism scandal broke out.
Hawthorn Rioli-Clarkson Rapprochement on Brink of Racism Scandal
Hawthorn Football Club's former star player Cyril Rioli, a four-time premiership winner, contemplated a surprise return to AFL under the guidance of his former coach Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne. The conversation took place just weeks before the infamous racism controversy engulfed the Hawthorn organization.
Sources revealed that Rioli, who retired in 2018, had conversations with Clarkson in August and September of 2022 regarding a potential stint with North Melbourne following Clarkson's appointment as their head coach in 2023. Rioli was reportedly "interested and keen" in reviving his playing career. However, at 33, he felt his fitness levels might not meet the demands, and the move did not materialize.
Rioli, who felt "culturally unsafe" at Hawthorn during his tenure, was open to joining North Melbourne in an off-field capacity, such as an Indigenous liaison officer.
The bombshell news of Rioli's discussions with North Melbourne emerged mere weeks before legal action was launched against Hawthorn, Clarkson, Chris Fagan (current coach of Brisbane Lions), and Jason Burt over historical racism allegations following the 2022 Grand Final. All three individuals strongly denied any wrongdoing, with an investigation by the AFL finding no adverse findings against them.
Rioli, the lead complainant in a statement of claim against Hawthorn, accused the club of separating Indigenous players from their families and causing psychological harm, distress, and personal harm throughout his career. Rioli and his partner, Shannyn, also expressed feelings of cultural unease at the club.
Since their conversation in 2022, Clarkson and Rioli have not communicated. The Hawthorn racism scandal, which involved multiple parties, including the three aforementioned individuals, significantly impacted the AFL community. The matter was eventually resolved by Hawthorn, who issued an apology on AFL draft night in November 2022, acknowledging the truth in the allegations and expressing regret for any distress caused to the affected parties.
Clarkson faced a mental health breakdown in 2023 and took personal leave from North Melbourne following the distressing fallout from the scandal. The aftermath of the Hawthorn racism scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and appropriate treatment of Indigenous players in Australian sports.
In light of the looming racism scandal that engulfed Hawthorn, discussions of a comeback to professional sports by Cyril Rioli, a former Hawthorn player, were held with Alastair Clarkson, his former coach, about a potential role with North Melbourne's sports-analysis team or as an Indigenous liaison officer in sports. Despite Rioli's initial interest, the fitness concerns and the ongoing proceedings of the racism controversy led to the move not materializing.
