Eddie McGuire fronts the press over a leaked report of systemic racism at the club on Monday.Credit:Joe Armao
The report delivered. It did not spare Collingwood,nor the leadership of McGuire and his board,as it highlighted the club’s inability to deal with racism - and with the complaints that had periodically been levelled - over a period,although it did not address Heritier Lumumba’s case,on the grounds that the 2010 premiership player had chosen not to play ball with the review.
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This report had parallels with Essendon’s notorious 2013 report by Ziggy Switkowski into what was termed “supplements program” in that the club’s own internal review was damning,but it had to sidestep the issue that had prompted the probe in the first place (ASADA’s investigation).
In Collingwood’s case,the report was in response to Lumumba’s allegations of racism,which Collingwood - also facing a Supreme Court writ from Lumumba - would not deal with while the player concerned declined to participate.
Collingwood,doubtless,will seek to make good on their pledge to implement the 18 recommendations. The most urgent need,though,is for the Magpies to have Indigenous talent on their playing list:players are the agents of change at clubs - as Hawthorn,which hitherto had a dismal history with Aboriginal footballers,demonstrated when they recruited Chance Bateman,Lance Franklin,Cyril Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne.
But,it’s also plain that the task of putting the past behind them will be much easier when they have a president who doesn’t have to defend the past.