'Are we clear?': Fuming Damien Hardwick grilled over AFL's investigation into Suns staffer

Damien Hardwick was in no mood to discuss the AFL's inquiry into a Suns staffer with links to a betting firm, firing back at a reporter who was grilling him on the matter.

The AFL integrity unit is investigating Suns team manager Mark Opie over a complaint regarding his ties to a bookmaker company Okebet, which he reportedly co-founded.

Okebet is controversial, having been slapped with a $100,000 fine for distributing material to local sporting club members to open betting accounts.

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Opie joined the Gold Coast Suns following an almost two-decade stint working for the Tigers, signing on shortly after Hardwick was appointed as head coach.

The inquiry has not impacted the daily duties of Opie at this stage, with Hardwick confirming the team manager will continue as normal for the Suns game on Friday.

It was soon after that question was asked that the press conference took a tense turn, with a reporter probing Hardwick about the bad look the inquiry has on the club.

"As far as I am concerned, the CEO and president will take care of that," he said.

"Is it a good look for the AFL to be sponsored by Sportsbet or those sorts of organisations. That's a decision for you guys to make. I am here to talk about football."

A disgruntled Hardwick continued to be grilled by the reporter, who then asked if it is appropriate for Opie to do his daily duties given the conflict the situation could cause.

"You want to start talking about conflict in AFL? I think I have answered your question," he replied.

As the reporter went to ask another question on the matter, Hardwick interrupted: "At the end of the day, he is there to perform a role and he does that with our football club.

"Conflicts of interest within AFL circles are prevalent everywhere, as we are seeing at the moment. So that will be dealt with in due course.

"I am the coach, I am here to talk about football and what it means to the Northern Territory people. If you want to take it down that path, talk to the CEO who controls the business aspect of the game.

"Are we clear? Let's be clear."

Attempting to shift the press conference away from the matter, Hardwick was asked about the team's spirits while exploring and training in the Northern Territory.

But the coach was not done making his issue with the prior topic clear.

"We love coming to the Northern Territory but people like this guy come and want to make it about everything else," he said.

"AFL is fantastic for this city and we want to explore and celebrate that.

"What we have gotten very good at as a society is tearing everything down.

"What we want to do is celebrate the position that we are in having two games up here, and we want to bring our very best (against Port Adelaide)."

Opie is not the only figure in the AFL to be scrutinised for his gambling links, with Luke Hodge and Kane Cornes withdrawing from the AFL's All-Australian selection committee due to their work with gambling organisations.

The pair's decision came in the wake of the scrutiny around AFL umpire Nick Foot, who has now ended his partnership working with Sportsbet to cover horse racing.