A host of GWS Giants players have been hit with sanctions over the club’s ill-fated Wacky Wednesday party.
The AFL has handed down fines and suspensions to a contingent of the squad following the end-of-year celebrations that involved problematic costumes and skits.
As first reported by Nine’s chief football reporter Tom Morris, Josh Fahey will miss four games through suspension for his involvement, while a number of teammates including Toby Greene have been slapped with fines by the AFL.
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Harvey Thomas, Toby McMullin, Cooper Hamilton, Jake Riccardi and Joe Fonti will all cop two-game suspensions for their involvement in the drama.
https://twitter.com/tommorris32/status/1846813438263415226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Connor Idun has been hit with a $5000 fine for dressing up as a slave from a Quentin Tarantino movie, while leaders including Sam Taylor and Harry Perryman, as well as two-time All-Australian Lachie Whitfield, have met the same fate.
24-year-old Idun sought permission from a number of teammates to dress up as Jamie Foxx’s character from Django Unchained.
The film is centred around slavery in the American south and is set in the 1850s. It is believed Idun and Whitfield re-enacted a scene from the movie during the party.
Speaking to media after the sanctions were handed down, AFL boss Andrew Dillon condemned the actions of the players and said the league would never allow it.
“Some of the skits were completely unacceptable and at odds with the code’s values … there is nothing funny or clever about these actions,” he said.
“We are also very disappointed that the leaders stopped the behaviour. I’d like to pay credit to whoever it was that made the complaint. We are not prepared to walk past these behaviours and that is why consequences have been applied.
“What transpired at the function is not acceptable … the sanctions that have been applied demonstrate that. Respect is not an option, it is a non-negotiable.”
As revealed by Dillon during the presser, Fahey dressed as a former NRL player and Jake Riccardi as a taxi driver. In the course of the skit, Fahey simulated inappropriate acts on a sex doll. Riccardi was not involved in that part of the skit.
Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in costume related to that event.
Harvey Thomas dressed as a particular professional sportsman and Joe Fonti as a girl, acting inappropriately during their skit.
The developments come as club captain Greene apologised in an official club statement.
“I would like to apologise for the events that occurred,” Greene said.
“As a leader of the club and captain of the team, I am embarrassed that we are in this situation and that I failed to uphold my responsibilities as a leader to prevent it. I am disappointed I did not adequately process the situation, and intervene, in the moment.
“Some of the costumes and skits that took place are unbecoming and contrary to the values of our club and standards we expect of the playing group. I understand that as leaders we need to learn from this situation and ensure it never happens again.”
Dressed as breakdancer Raygun, the skipper reportedly didn’t get involved in the controversial skits, but will be punished for not putting an end to the saga.
Reports state a handful of players dressed up in inappropriate costumes and performed skits that later drew a complaint to the club and the AFL.
One player reportedly dressed as former NRL player Jarryd Hayne and carried a blow-up sex doll, while others allegedly dressed as New York’s former Twin Towers.
The Age has also reported a reference to American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs was made at the party. Combs is currently under investigation following his arrest over sex-trafficking allegations, which he denies.
Vice captains Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly were reportedly not at the function.
The sanctions handed down to the group of players came after Morris reported via X on Wednesday morning that they had made submissions for them to be reduced.
He said there was “widespread surprise” among players about the severity of the penalties, but clarified he did not believe Greene’s attending the event dressed as Raygun was the reason for his fine.
”They are seeking to have them reduced via their submissions,” he said.
Speaking on SEN on Wednesday morning, Morris said the Giants players believe the source of the complaint came from the bartender who was working in the private room they had hired.
He also said the Giants and the AFL integrity unit had been made aware of the incident several weeks ago and the club released another statement on Wednesday night.
The Giants’ season finished in week two of the finals when they were defeated by five points by eventual premiers Brisbane.
