Mick Malthouse has hit out at Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and says he has no regrets about his relationship with former Magpie Heritier Lumumba.
Lumumba has alleged he was subjected to racist taunts while at Collingwood and wants a public acknowledgement from the club that his claims are true.
Malthouse, the AFL’s all-time record-holder for games coached, said he never heard the former defender referred to as the “Chimp” as Lumumba claims he was called by teammates.
Lumumba played under Malthouse’s coaching for the first seven seasons of his 223-game AFL career and was part of the Magpies’ 2010 premiership team.
“I can’t remember him (Lumumba) being called that. If he was, it wasn’t something that I jumped and thought ‘is he really worried about it’,” the three-time premiership coach told ABC Radio.
“He was a very important part of our football side. It hurts a lot to think that he thought he was vilified at any stage and we didn’t do anything about it.
“We had a great relationship and he never mentioned anything to me while I was at the football club that he was embarrassed, hurt or anything else other than the fact he got on so well with his teammates.”
Heritier Lumumba. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Buckley says he’s keen to reach out to Lumumba, but the former Magpie has no interest in sitting down with the club’s hierarchy behind closed doors.
After Collingwood’s draw against Richmond on Thursday night, Buckley said the Magpies had “been able to able to grow” since Lumumba left for Melbourne at the end of 2014.
“I would love to have him come to his old football club and see what we have become and the culture of acceptance, a celebration of difference, no matter your colour, religion,” Buckley told reporters.
But Malthouse took umbrage at those comments, declaring Collingwood was a welcoming club before Buckley took over as coach.
The pair’s relationship has been strained since Malthouse’s tenure at Collingwod ended in a famous coaching transition to the Magpies’ former star player.
“I wasn’t surprised to hear and find out (Lumumba) didn’t get along with Nathan,” Malthouse said.
“There was a suggestion by Nathan that they were trying to fix up the culture when he took over.
“I find that very disappointing that anyone would suggest or make remarks about our culture.
“We played it differently, we played it hard, we played with the flair those players wanted to and played for one another. It was a winning culture.
“I have no regrets about how that side came together or Harry (Lumumba).”
Lumumba took to social media this week to detail his experiences at Collingwood, claiming he endured a “culture of racist jokes”.
The 33-year-old, who retired from AFL in 2016 after repeated concussion problems, accused Buckley of failing to adequately support him.
He reiterated the claim that he was called “Chimp” by Collingwood teammates, which was publicly backed up by Andrew Krakouer in 2017.
“Collingwood is making statements about their ‘growth’,” Lumumba said.
“Growth means accountability. Reconciliation without accountability is not possible.”
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Thanks Yattz, very interesting.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Pete, I did some research on this, mostly to see how much bs spruce moose was pushing. Collingwood are leaders here. They have an indigenous board member who runs the RAP. By the way SM is abusive. He uses race as an excuse.
NO MIRRORS AT AFL HOUSE
Guest
Yeah the chimp comment is fine. Spare me days. White bread = AFL
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
There’s a word for people like that. Liar.
Ron The Bear
Roar Rookie
There's a suggestion that Collingwood had promised him media opportunities after he finished playing which (surprisingly after burning the president!) didn't eventuate. Something certainly seems to have happened to make him unhappy after he left Collingwood.
Parer Ben
Roar Rookie
Could it be that Lumumba, Malthouse and Buckley are all in the right here? There was racism, Malthouse didn’t know, but Buckley knew the culture and player attitudes absolutely needed to change. The throwing Eddie under the bus comment is for me the one that feels like pretty poor form. Eddie three homself under that bus then back the bus over himself.
Big Daddy
Guest
Accountability starts at the top. After the Adam Goodes incident how can you believe anything. Cut off the head of the snake and it fixes everything.
RT
Roar Rookie
I doubt know. I am just guessing what Malthouse might be thinking.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Rubbish Richie. He says come and see how the culture has improved since he left in 2014 which included 3 years under Buckley by then. Look at Ron the Bears comment above then make up your own mind.
emu1nz
Roar Rookie
The fact that Lumumba said some nice things about Buckley does not negate how Buckley and others treated him. When players leave clubs or retire, they often say nice things. It's standard PR bull.Those defending Buckley should read Lumumba's ten posts on social media. He had an eight hour attempted mediation session with Buckley where they thoroughly discussed how badly he'd been treated, including the use of the nickname Chimp. Buckley subsequently denied that he had ever heard of the issues. Lumumba also said he was told he was sacked for criticising Eddie "I'm not a racist, but" Maguire. Whatever Collingwood is like now, the fact is that the club has a long and despicable history of racism. Nicky Winmar, Michael Long ring a bell? One of the last, if not the last, Victorian AFL clubs to have an indigenous player on its list. Wonder why?
BigAl
Roar Rookie
Mick Malthouse seems to be now trying to caste himself as some sort of wise philosopher and sage. Recently he was criticizing the the AFL and Port Adelaide for their links to China and now this ! I think the situation can be best encapsulated by an adaptation of an old Chinese proverb that Mick himself is very keen on " The Ox is slow, but . . . Mick Malthouse is even slower..."
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I am saying that he is misguided, he might think that he is defending his legacy but he is misunderstanding the moment, he might not feel that he was racist but for whatever reason Lumumba feels that he was treated poorly as a by product of his race at the Collingwood football club.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Is the MCC going to let the knee reenactment of Floyd continue before the games. Even if it's only missguided it's a terrible look. If they do like it why not put a ball under each knee to complete the illusion. Surely for Australia, if it's worth a statue, the Nicky Winmar gesture is the ultimate statement.
Dan in Devon
Guest
I wouldnt place too much stead on that quote. When football players are trying to sell themselves to other football organizations they will say what needs to be said. There was a problem at Collingwood and Eddie Mcguire was evidence of that. As for Buckley, I think he has handled this very difficult situation with alot of class and level headedness and compassion. Hearing his response has convinced me that he is the right coach and leader for the CFC for the foreseeable future.
RT
Roar Rookie
Showing his age. Really? It looks like he is defending his legacy when Buckley is effectively saying the culture has improved since he left. I doubt hw meant it like that but I can understand where Malthouse is coming from.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I respect Bucks far more than Malthouse. I’ll leave it at that.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The problem is: I don’t think he is better than that.
Roger
Guest
Ron. That’s interesting. What’s the saying now? If you are silent you are the problem? And a person of different decent would not be given a pass for changing their mind!
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
He was under bucks and Malthouse for roughly equal amounts of time. I think bucks has handled this episode pretty well as has heritier lumumba, but Malthouse is showing his age here
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Nice pick up Ron