Hawthorn are understood to have failed in their attempts to enter mediation talks with some of the First Nations families involved in the ongoing investigation into the allegations of racism made against key staff from the club.
The allegations made against Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt have been denied by the trio, with a four-person independent panel currently leading the investigation into the harrowing claims.
The findings of the panel's report could be made public within the next month, as First Nations players, Clarkson, Fagan and Burt aid the investigation.
Former and current key figures at Waverley are also expected to partake in the investigation.
According toย The Age,ย the club had attempted to enter mediation discussions with First Nations players and their families, while one lawyer representing a past player and their family held talks with the club which didn't get far.
"Yes, the club did seek to start the process of mediation and I don't think it really got past certain lawyers, and now we are into the independent AFL investigation," Hawthorn board member Peter Nankivell told The Age.
While Nankivell did not confirm the club had planned for mediation talks to lead to financial settlements, The Ageย have reported the club had planned to head down that path.
โI think getting in a room and talking to people, one another, and talking to those who are making complaints and those who are being complained against is an eminently sensible idea and to the extent that could lead to outcomes, that's probably, that's the intention," Nankivell also told the publication.
First Nations families involved in the investigation have stated they are hesitant to participate in what they view is not an independent probe, while one woman named 'Amy' has revealed she will not cooperate with the "unsafe process".
The AFL responded to Amy's decision, acknowledging her "pain, trauma and grief" from the alleged experiences.
The league faced further questioning last week when an open letter from First Nations families urged the AFL to "do better" and "not to sweep this crisis under the carpet as merely a Hawthorn problem" amid calls for further investigations into wider responses into racism.
The league replied stating it is committed to running an independent investigation and will look to act on further responses separately to the Hawthorn investigation.
