Hawthorn great and former Brisbane player Luke Hodge has thrown his support behind under-fire key-figures Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt in the wake of the blistering racism allegations that have rocked the AFL.
Both Clarkson and Fagan have stood aside from their respective duties with North Melbourne and Brisbane for the foreseeable future as the AFL continues to investigate the damning allegations made by past First Nations players during their time at Waverley.
Burt, Hawthorn's former development manager, is also set to assist the investigation for the role he allegedly played in the harrowing claims and has taken an indefinite leave from his position with a prominent Melbourne private school.
The trio were all key members of the club's recent successes, a period where Hodge led the club as their as their captain.
Hodge released a statement on Saturday morning, where he reflected on the nurturing characteristics that Clarkson, Fagan and Burt all showed during his time with the Hawks, as well as his decision to link up with Fagan at Brisbane five years ago.
"Alastair Clarkson shaped me into the person I am today," Hodge wrote in a statement posted to social media. "Inheriting a bit of a brat from Colac, he was never afraid to give me the honest truths that I needed.
"At times that was hard to hear but it came exclusively from a place of love and care for me and my future. Then when Lauren and I started a family he was the one I turned to.
"He has always shared his own stories and helped me to be comfortable in my own skin.
"Such is the trust and belief I have in Chris Fagan as a person, I moved my whole family interstate solely because he was leading that club. He is the most extraordinary mentor and confidant.
"I am just so proud and not one but surprised of the culture he has created and what he has built in Brisbane.
"The work Jason Burt did to help young and not so young players transition in and out of footy was simply tireless."
Hodge went on to express his support for those that helped him through the "more challenging moments" of his own life, wishing them the best amid an "extremely challenging time for everyone".
"I know people will have their own opinions on what I'm saying, but I just had to show support in a tough time for those that did exactly that for me throughout the more challenging moments of my life," Hodge's statement continued.
"My experience with each of these men is that they only ever wanted the best for me and my family and I wish them well in what is an extremely challenging time for everyone involved."
— Luke Hodge (@LHodge15) September 30, 2022
Hodge played 305 games for Hawthorn between 2002-2017 before joining Brisbane to reunite with Fagan, who had been appointed as the Lions' senior coach in 2017.
The Hawthorn great captained Hawthorn for six seasons, three of which included the club's historic three-peat of premierships under Clarkson, and retired at the end of 2019 after 41 games with Brisbane.
