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Dockers refer second complaint to AFL integrity unit

Fremantle is in damage control, with the AFL integrity unit called in to investigate another complaint.

Fremantle is in damage control, with the AFL integrity unit called in to investigate another complaint. Photo: AAP

The storm engulfing Fremantle is growing, with the club referring another complaint about an employee to the AFL’s integrity unit.

And Fremantle’s woes were further compounded when it was revealed leadership group member Brad Hill broke the team’s alcohol policy and was issued with a move-on notice by police on Sunday night.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon hit the headlines last week after he was accused of being the Fremantle official at the centre of a sexual harassment complaint.

The incident involving Lyon allegedly happened several years ago at the club’s Christmas function.

The former employee who made that complaint has reportedly received a payout of more than $100,000 to settle the issue.

Lyon’s future has been called into question over that incident.

And the club was in damage control on Thursday when it was revealed another complaint had been made about an employee on a separate matter.

The club didn’t say whether Lyon was the subject of the second complaint as well, which was made over the past week.

Dockers president Dale Alcock said the man who made the complaint didn’t want to take the matter further.

However, Fremantle has still sent the matter to the AFL’s integrity unit to be investigated.

Alcock said if anyone else has a problem with an employee at the club, he will direct the complaint to the AFL’s integrity services unit.

“We will co-operate fully with any investigation that is undertaken as part of this process,” Alcock said in the statement.

The drama surrounding Fremantle has seen its major sponsors – Woodside and Programmed – urge the Dockers to demonstrate respect and transparency for staff, players, members, and the public.

Brad Hill

Brad Hill is being investigated by police after a drunken night out. Photo: AAP

Fremantle’s brand has been tarnished by the controversy, and rumours are rife that the Dockers are considering sacking Lyon.

Several emergency board meetings have reportedly been held over the past week.

The drama at Fremantle escalated further on Thursday night when it was revealed Hill was being investigated by police after a drunken night out in the beach suburb of Scarborough.

Hill, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered in round two, was refused entry to a licensed premises at about 10.30pm because he had tried to jump a barrier to enter the venue.

He was spoken to by police a short time later.

Hill will be investigated by police for breaching a police move-on notice issued at the time, and giving police a false name.

The former Hawk will also feel the wrath from Fremantle for breaching the club’s alcohol policy for injured players, and failing to advise the club of the police matter in a timely fashion.

The Dockers copped a 77-point thrashing at the hands of Richmond last week, with the off-field drama threatening to derail their season completely.

Lyon is scheduled to hold his weekly press conference on Friday, but it remains to be seen if he fulfils that obligation.

Alcock said the club was committed to addressing any issue in an open, honest, and respectful way.

But the Dockers have copped wide-spread criticism over their failure to come clean about the nature of the allegations levelled at the club.

-AAP

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