Tigers accused of groping teammate
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick abruptly cut short his press conference on Friday amid allegations two of his players had groped a teammate.
Network Ten senior reporter Hugh Riminton questioned Hardwick about two recent post-match incidents in the Tigers' dressing room, after wins over the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions.
Richmond's Mabior Chol.Credit:Getty Images
It has been alleged defender Nick Vlastuin groped Mabior Chol after the Lions match at the Gabba, with Chol, according to Riminton, reacting in a manner that "plainly indicates he wasn't expecting such an action".
After the win over the Bulldogs, also at the Gabba, Riminton claims that Jayden Short grabbed Chol's genitals.
Riminton said he had not received a complaint from any player.
When questioned if he had any knowledge of the incidents, Hardwick replied: "No mate."
Riminton added: "The question to you is, if this is horseplay, are all premiership players within Richmond expected to tolerate [this] or is it just the black player is expected to tolerate it. A question for you Damien Hardwick."
Hardwick did not respond to that question.
Tigers' media manager Jamiee Damon intervened and said the Tigers had no knowledge of the incidents.
"We have no knowledge of that. That is the first we have heard of it. Thank you for the question but that is all the comment we have to make," she said.
Hardwick took a few more football-related questions before the press conference was terminated when Riminton asked whether Vlastuin, Short and Chol would be selected to face Port Adelaide in a potential grand-final preview in Adelaide on Saturday evening.
Hardwick said he had been "very patient" to the point before adding: "We might call it quits".
The AFL has been contacted for comment.