GWS players facing AFL bans over 'distasteful' acts as Raygun detail comes to light
Up to six Giants players are expected to be handed bans over the post-season function antics.
The AFL is reportedly set to hand bans and fines to several GWS Giants players over alleged "inappropriate behaviour" at a post-season function. The league is understood to have already informed multiple players of their likely suspensions but they will be given the chance to respond as part of negotiations - according to Seven's Mitch Cleary. While others have been informed they are set to receive fines.
"Multiple Giants players are facing AFL bans in relation to inappropriate behaviour," Cleary said. "It centres around distasteful costumes and skits from their postseason function at the end of the 2024 season. Sanctions are now sitting with the players to respond. Several of them are overseas and just learning of this tonight (Tuesday night)."
News Corp reports the function in question took place in mid-September, with a dress-up theme of "celebrity couples". Coaches and staff were reportedly there for the early parts of the event but not during the offensive skits.
The Giants conducted an initial probe into the event and cleared its players of any illegal activity. However, the league has come down hard on the as-yet-undisclosed incidents.
Nine's Tom Morris reports "up to 10" players could be handed sanctions over the "Wacky Wednesday" incident, while SEN's Tom Morris reports that number is closer to six. The bans and fines are understood to be as a result of 'highly inappropriate' acts performed in a private room of a hotel, which was closed off to the public.
Around half a dozen Giants players are being investigated by the AFL.
Match bans incoming for some players. Others will be financial.
Sanctions are now sitting with the players to respond. Several of them are overseas and just learning of this tonight. https://t.co/wcuGFRefuR— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 15, 2024
GWS players face fines as Raygun detail emerges
On Wednesday morning Morris provided fresh details about what occurred on the night in question, stating a bartender at the pub is understood to have taken offence to what transpired. "It’s the belief of the Giants players that the story got out because the bartender at the pub made a complaint. They were in a private room," he said on SEN radio on Wednesday.
"I understand there is going to be around six suspended players. One young player in particular, who is said to have made an ill-informed joke about P-Diddy, is set for the harshest suspension. The Giants found out about this a few weeks ago, some key players found out about it on prelim final weekend and in the last 48 hours the Giants have been shocked to learn that actual suspensions were on the cards.
"I’m told some of the players are pushing back on the suspensions, believing it’s a private room, nothing illegal occurred. The AFL and the Integrity Unit has had time to consider it, digest it and investigate it. Given that around six players are set to be suspended and fines of up to $20,000 are set to be handed out, you’d have to suggest there is more to this.
"A couple of players did a skit from a movie, one player who is set to be fined quite significantly dressed up as Raygun (Aussie Olympian Rachael Gunn)." And according to Cleary, it was GWS captain Toby Greene who went dressed as the Olympic breakdancer. However Cleary says "he wasn’t directly involved in the unsavoury skits - but is set to be given a heavy financial penalty for showing a lack of leadership." Greene is understood to have been handed a $20,000 fine by the AFL, while around six players who were allegedly involved in the skits have been hit with match penalties.
