The AFL has handed down a series of suspensions and fines to GWS Giants players in response to incidents at the team's post-season 'Wacky Wednesday' celebration, which included controversial costumes and skits.
The AFL's investigation has led to a series of penalties that will impact several Giants players heading into the 2025 season.
Young defender Josh Fahey received the heaviest suspension with a four-game ban, marking the most severe consequence among those involved.
Five other players — Jake Riccardi, Joe Fonti, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas, and Cooper Hamilton — each received two-match suspensions for their roles in the controversial festivities.
Additional sanctions included substantial fines for senior players, including captain Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield, Connor Idun, Tom Green, Sam Taylor, Lachie Keeffe, and recently traded Harry Perryman. Each of these players has been fined $5,000, though they will not face suspension.
Greene's manager, Paul Connors, commented ahead of the sanction, saying that Greene “needed to be better” in leading his teammates but also noted the emotional toll Greene was under, having just come off a challenging season.
Connors told Kane Cornes on SEN that Greene “had as much interest being on that Mad Monday as you would have done,” emphasising Greene's mental fatigue after the team's recent elimination.
The Giants' themed event, which reportedly included costumes mimicking public figures, drew strong criticism when it was revealed that several skits and dress-ups referenced sensitive issues, leading to calls for accountability.
The sanctions for GWS players from their post-season function are in, via @cleary_mitch. pic.twitter.com/zN1vqF7srA
— 7AFL (@7AFL) October 17, 2024
One such costume, allegedly worn by Connor Idun, was a representation of a character from Django Unchained, a film with slavery undertones. Idun's choice sparked debate, especially given his Ghanaian heritage.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Idun had reportedly sought approval from teammates prior to dressing as the character.
The Giants organisation released a statement on Wednesday, asserting that they are cooperating fully with the investigation while addressing “a level of misinformation” surrounding the event.
“The club is taking the matter very seriously and acted swiftly upon the receipt of the concerns,” the statement read.
“All parties have cooperated fully with the AFL to ensure the allegations are fully investigated.”
The AFL Players Association is expected to release a statement shortly, as multiple players have reportedly lodged appeals against the severity of their penalties.
The Giants, facing significant public scrutiny, are set to enter the upcoming season without several key players as they serve their suspensions.
In a statement released by the club after the sanctions were handed down, GWS CEO David Matthews expressed disappointment, stating, “There is absolutely no excuse for the behaviour that took place, and we're very distressed by some of the incidents that occurred. As a club built on inclusiveness and respect, it was a clear breach of our policies and values.”
Matthews added that the club acted swiftly in cooperation with the AFL and took the allegations seriously from the outset.
The sanctions follow findings that individual players had breached GWS's values on appropriate behaviour, potentially bringing themselves and the club into disrepute. Although no illegal conduct was identified, the AFL charged the players under Rule 2.3(a), citing “conduct unbecoming or prejudicial to the AFL.”
GWS Captain Toby Greene apologised for his failure to act as a leader at the event, stating, “As a leader of the club, I am embarrassed that we are in this situation and that I failed to uphold my responsibilities to prevent it. I understand that as leaders, we need to learn from this situation and ensure it never happens again.”
AFLW Captain Rebecca Beeson also voiced disappointment, sharing the AFLW team's hurt and anger upon learning about the incidents.
“The values of respect, diversity, and inclusion are as important off the field as they are on it,” Beeson stated.
“As the AFLW playing group, we feel it is important to stress that behaviour that included references to gender-based violence is completely unacceptable under any circumstances.”
In response to the findings, the Giants have committed to further education on respect and inclusion for their AFL players. Additionally, the club has pledged to implement a review of player event protocols and take proactive steps to strengthen its culture, with Matthews extending an apology to fans, members, and stakeholders.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon wasn't impressed with the GWS players and their off-season antics, issuing an apology to the community.
“The behaviour and the disrespect the players have demonstrated at this event do not uphold any of the values of the AFL or the Giants and the behaviour is not acceptable in any setting at any time," Dillon said.
“There is nothing funny or clever about these actions and we are not as a code and competition prepared to accept these behaviours.
“We are also very disappointed that none of the leaders sanctioned sought to stop the behaviour.
“I do want to pay credit to whoever it was who made the anonymous complaint and thank them for refusing to walk past the behaviours.
“These actions do not represent who we are as a code or who the Giants are as a club that has worked hard to build respect across the western Sydney community.
“We have spent a lot of time, resource and energy working with staff, players and clubs to build environments of respect – respect for women, respect for people of different cultures, respect for the wider community – but clearly, we still have work to do. And we are committed to doing that work.
“For the most part our clubs and our AFL players do the right thing and can come together to celebrate or commiserate without the type of behaviour demonstrated here.
“What transpired at the function is not acceptable – not to the other men, women or anyone who is part of the club. Not for all the people in our industry and not for the wider public.
“I want to apologise to the community and to everyone who shares our disappointment, my disappointment at this behaviour and to reinforce that respect is not an option, it is a non-negotiable and we will continue to work until everyone in our game understands that.”
