The AFL advises that a number of GWS GIANTS AFL players have been sanctioned for breaching AFL Rule AFL Rule 2.3(a) Conduct Unbecoming.
The sanctions have been determined after investigations by GWS Giants and the AFL following an anonymous complaint made to the AFL integrity portal regarding the alleged behaviour of a number of GWS GIANTS AFL players at their post season players get together on September 18, 2024.
The anonymous complaint was received the day after the event on September 19.
As part of the AFL investigation, the AFL Integrity Unit interviewed players and GWS GIANTS football department staff that attended the event earlier in the day.
The investigation found the club hired a venue for the day as part of the team’s end of season get-together and players separately organised a dress up theme of 'controversial couples.’
As part of this theme players dressed up in themed pairs and many performed skits connected to their costumes.
In the view of the AFL and the Club, some of the skits were completely unacceptable and totally at odds with the code’s values.
The AFL investigation confirmed the following matters that each constituted a breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a):
- Josh 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.
- Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield enacted a scene from the movie Django Unchained characterising slavery.
Additionally:
- GWS senior leaders Toby Greene as captain, Tom Green, Sam Taylor, Harry Perryman and Lachie Keeffe as senior players all in attendance failed to display appropriate levels of leadership reasonably expected of each of them in failing to step in to stop the acts continuing.
Based on the findings of the AFL Integrity Unit investigation, the AFL advises the following player sanctions:
- Player Josh Fahey has been suspended for four matches.
- Players Jake Riccardi, Cooper Hamilton, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas, Joe Fonti have all been suspended for two matches each.
- Players Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield have been fined $5,000 each for the skit which was deemed to be inappropriate along with a breach of leadership duties in failing to step in.
- Club leaders Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Tom Green, Harry Perryman and Lachie Keeffe have been fined $5,000 each.
The club will also provide further education for the entire playing group, in addition to the already mandatory education sessions in relation to violence against women, and racial and religious vilification.
The GWS GIANTS will also review their welfare, integrity and leadership practices, as well as review all practice and procedures regarding player organised events. The club will conduct a training session for all players and staff on the consequences of the choices they make.
"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." AFL CEO Andrew 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."
