We live in interesting times
Taking the temperature at the Hawks as the racism scandal settles in for the long haul.
A few Hawthorn related observations as we enter the proper off-season.
The ‘Hawthorn racism scandal’ is going to be with us for some time, hovering in the background a bit like the ‘Essendon drugs scandal’ did. Sadly, the entire episode will tarnish the game and the club.
In actual fact, the name is a bit of a misnomer. The allegations have been directed towards three former, albeit high-profile employees of the Hawthorn Football Club. It would be great of it was called the ‘former Hawks racism scandal’, but that won’t wash of course, so the ‘Hawthorn racism scandal’ it is, even though in 2022, the football club is a culturally safe place for all its players and staff.
Talking to various people in the lead up to and the Grand Final itself, there was a surprising amount of sympathy towards Hawthorn.