Alastair Clarkson and Cyril Rioli discussed the possibility of the legendary forward making an AFL playing comeback just before the Hawthorn racism saga erupted, according to CODE Sports.
A stunning story was published on Friday by Herald Sun chief football writer and Super Saturday LIVE panellist Jay Clark, who reported Clarkson and Rioli spoke both on the phone and via text message in August and September 2022, where the idea of the triple All-Australian recommencing his AFL career under Clarkson’s new club was floated.
Rioli, who was coached by Clarkson in the four Hawks flags, shocked the footy world midway through the 2018 season when he announced his retirement just before his 29th birthday.
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But just over four years later – after Clarkson had left Hawthorn and was on the verge of coaching his second club – the pair weighed up the possibility of the superstar small forward playing under Clarkson at another team.
In the alleged text messages, published by CODE Sports, sent across August and September 2022, Clarkson asked Rioli how he was and if he was “still keen” on a comeback. In Rioli’s reply, he said he was “interested and keen”.
Clarkson, according to the report, then sent another message to Rioli that read: “Still waiting for your preference. Orange and charcoal or blue and white?” The colours were a reference to the Giants and Kangaroos, who were two of the AFL clubs interested in hiring Clarkson as their next coach at the time. The Roos eventually signed him in August 2022 on a five-year deal.
Rioli, in the following weeks, conceded to Clarkson he’d need more time to build his fitness if he wanted to play in the AFL again, flagging the prospect of taking on an off-field role at the Kangaroos instead.
A month later in AFL Grand Final week of 2022, allegations from a report into the historical treatment of First Nations players at Hawthorn – including shock claims against Clarkson and other senior Hawks figures – was published by the ABC. It was the start of a two-year legal battle, which led to Clarkson and Lions coach Chris Fagan – the Hawks’ former football boss – being temporarily stood down by their new clubs.
Communication between Rioli and Clarkson petered out after the allegations became public.
Despite Clarkson’s attempts to check in on Rioli, CODE Sports reported the duo haven’t spoken since.
The saga ended in late 2024 after the ex-Hawks players and their family members took a statement of claim to Federal Court before a settlement was reached and the Hawks released a statement apologising to the players, including Rioli.
The allegations were never confirmed to be true or false.
The accused former Hawthorn staffers, including Clarkson, strongly denied the allegations and remain significantly affected by the fallout.
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