Shock disclose Rioli thought to be AFL comeback, reunion with Clarkson at Roos simply weeks sooner than racism saga broke

Newly launched textual content messages have published Hawthorn nice Cyril Rioli was once ‘interested and keen’ on a reunion with Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne, mere weeks sooner than being focused on allegations of racism in opposition to the mythical Hawks trainer.

Rioli, who retired after 189 video games and 4 premierships with the Hawks in 2018 at simply 28 years previous, was once amongst a gaggle of ex-Hawthorn Indigenous gamers who levelled surprise claims in opposition to Clarkson and different senior Hawks figures, together with present Brisbane trainer Chris Fagan, to start out an notorious racism saga in September 2022.

The saga noticed each Clarkson and Fagan in brief step down from their roles at North Melbourne and the Lions respectively, with Clarkson taking a go away of absence for a lot of the 2023 season.

The subject finish past due ultimate yr after the ex-players took a remark of declare to Federal Court, achieving a agreement the place the allegations have been by no means showed to be true or false. The Hawks launched a membership remark apologising to the gamers, together with Rioli, whilst Clarkson, Fagan and others implicated have maintained their innocence.

However, the Herald Sun have published a chain of texts between Rioli and Clarkson exploring the potential of Rioli returning to AFL soccer on the Kangaroos in August and September 2022 – simply sooner than Clarkson was once formally appointed as trainer of the Roos, and mere weeks sooner than the racism allegations have been made public.

“How are you going Junior [Rioli]? Still keen [on a comeback]?” reads certainly one of Clarkson’s messages, with Rioli replying that he was once ‘interested and keen’.

Clarkson informed Rioli he would handiest dedicate a listing spot to the then-33 yr previous if he may just decide to coaching and making improvements to his health over the low season, with the 2015 Norm Smith Medallist admitting he would want some other yr to take action.

He then enquired about becoming a member of the Kangaroos in an off-field capability as an Indigenous mentor or liaison officer.

However, the verbal exchange ended simply sooner than the ordinary allegations have been made in opposition to the four-time premiership trainer.

According to the Herald Sun, Clarkson and Rioli have no longer spoken since then, despite the fact that Clarkson reportedly made efforts to test on Rioli’s wellbeing.