Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has responded to comments made on his wife Kellie's podcast Sh!t Talkers yesterday about his current suspension, which has now been deleted.
Finlayson copped a three-game suspension for his homophobic slur directed toward an Essendon player during their Gather Round clash at the Adelaide Oval.
The former Giant had conceded that his behaviour was "unacceptable" and wanted to provide context to his comments made on the podcast.
MORE: Did the AFL get the Jeremy Finlayson ban right?
โI made some comments on my wife Kellie's Sh!t Talkers podcast yesterday that I need to address," Finlayson said on Wednesday.
โI said โ(It) pissed me off that I got a three-week suspension, that's it, that's tipped me over the edge. We'll leave it there and (at) that.โ
โWhen re-thinking my comments today, it's clear that I should have provided more context.
โOn reflection, I should have explained that I was bitterly disappointed that I said what I did during the game and I am bitterly disappointed that I put myself and the club in the position I did. That is what I am most upset with.
โWhat I said on the field that night was totally unacceptable. I knew that at the time and I know it now. I stress, I have no issue with the sanction at all.โ
The 28-year-old will be required to attend training over the incident, which will be paid for out of his own pocket.
No monetary fine was handed down.
The AFL issued a statement noting the punishment and the training the Power forward will be required to undertake.
โThe AFL wishes to advise that Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson has been found guilty of breaching AFL Rule 2.3(a) (Conduct Unbecoming) in relation to an incident during the third quarter of Friday's nights match against Essendon,โ the statement read.
โFinlayson used an unprompted and highly offensive homophobic slur against an Essendon opponent, which demeans and denigrates persons regardless of their sexuality.
โFinlayson has received a three-match suspension and is required to attend appropriate Pride in Sport training as approved by the AFL in which Finlayson will pay for personally.
Finlayson will not be eligible to play for Port Adelaide during Rounds 5, 6 and 7, including playing in the SANFL.
With the Power heading to the MCG for the first time in 2024, Finlayson's absence could be compounded by veteran duo Charlie Dixon and Travis Boak missing the crucial clash against Collingwood.
Despite pushing to return from a back niggle, Travis Boak failed to complete all of today's main session at Alberton and is highly unlikely to tackle Collingwood on Saturday.
While Charlie Dixon missed a second straight session due to illness.@9NewsAdel @FootyonNine
— Braden Ingram (@bradeningram) April 17, 2024
Boak - who is attempting to return from a back injury he suffered in the Bomber game - failed to get through training on Wednesday, making him unlikely to feature on Saturday.
As for Dixon, today's session was the second consecutive training he missed due to illness.
In-form ruckman Ivan Soldo has declared himself fit despite an injury cloud hanging over his head.
Soldo didn't train on Wednesday after a gruelling match against Fremantle, copping a knock and a black eye in the win.
Defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is also expected to be available after being cleared to play despite sustaining a sprained shoulder.
