AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has addressed the explosive report findings revealed this morning surrounding the treatment of indigenous players and their families at the Hawthorn Football Club.
A report by Russell Jackson of ABC Sports, said that three anonymous former members of Hawthorn alleged that staff members - including Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan - played active roles in displacing them from their families, fraying their relationships, impacting their mental health and/or hindering pregnancies, including requests for termination.
The report also reveals that players were said to have been coerced into replacing the SIM cards on their phones once removed from their partners in an effort to stifle contact.
Each of these players was said to have been listed by the Hawks during 2013-2015.
SEE MORE: Hawks "require further investigation" into treatment of first nations people
Speaking to media on Wednesday morning, McLachlan acknowledged the hurt of first nations people after the damning accusations emerged.
"We need to do more," McLachlan stated.
"So many people are hurting today, and have been hurting for a long time"
The outgoing boss said that the AFL will conduct its own investigation with a four-person panel to investigate the claims led by a King’s counsel.
“(These are) serious allegations and we will treat them appropriately while affording natural justice to those accused,” McLachlan said.
“We need to run a proper investigation to get to the bottom of it and this is important, out of respect for those making allegations and those being accused.”
The futures of Fagan and Clarkson- who is set to start official duties at North Melbourne on November 1 are now seemingly up in the air.
McLachlan refused to be drawn into speculation about the pairs future.