A look at why a number of GWS players were suspended or fined for their controversial end-of-season function.

WHY GWS PLAYERS WERE FINED AND SUSPENDED

*GWS players organised a dress up theme of ‘controversial couples.’ for their end-of-season function. Players dressed up in themed pairs and many performed skits connected to their costumes.

*An anonymous complaint was received the day after the event on September 19.

SANCTIONS HANDED DOWN AND WHY

*Josh Fahey (four-match suspension), Jake Riccardi (two-match suspension).

Fahey dressed as a former NRL player and 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 (two-match suspension), Cooper Hamilton (two-match suspension).

McMullin and Hamilton simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in costume related to that event.

*Harvey Thomas (two-match suspension), Joe Fonti (two-match suspension).

Thomas dressed as a particular professional sportsman and Fonti as a girl, acting inappropriately during their skit.

*Connor Idun ($5000 fine), Lachie Whitfield ($5000 fine).

Idun and Whitfield re-enacted a scene from the movie Django Unchained characterising slavery.

Additionally, club leaders Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Tom Green and Harry Perryman were fined $5,000 each for not displaying “appropriate levels of leadership” in their failure to stop the acts continuing.

GWS 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.

GWS players banned, fined by AFL over function debacle

AFL players are on notice for what happens at end-of-season team functions after the league hit GWS with a raft of suspensions and fines.

League chief executive Andrew Dillon said there will be “big learnings” for GWS and the rest of the competition in the wake of the September 18 function debacle.

An anonymous complaint was made the next day to the AFL and that sparked a joint investigation with the Giants, resulting in the sanctions announced on Thursday night.

Giants fringe player Josh Fahey is banned for four matches, while key forward Jake Riccardi heads four teammates who will miss the first two games of next season.

They were all suspended for taking part in skits relating to the “controversial couples” theme of the dress-up function, with Fahey simulating inappropriate acts on a sex doll.

Captain Toby Greene was among senior players fined for not stepping in to stop the skits. No club officials were sanctioned.

After announcing the “conduct unbecoming” punishments, Dillon was asked whether this meant the end of the post-season rituals collectively known as “Mad Mondays”, which usually feature players dressing in costume and then holding private functions.

“Clubs, as they do, should be able to celebrate or commiserate their end of season,” Dillon said.

“But I think for GWS there will be big learnings from this, and I think there’ll be learnings for all of our clubs.

“What’s important is there’s oversight and better decisions made. What we have here is a small number of players here making really poor choices, terrible mistakes.”

Dillon confirmed there was CCTV footage of the function, which had been “helpful” to the investigation.

In a club statement, Greene apologised and said he was “embarrassed”, adding: “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.”

Giants AFLW captain Bec Beeson was scathing in her comments.

“We were deeply hurt and angered when learning of the behaviour that occurred,” she said.

Giants chief executive Dave Matthews said there was “no excuse” for the players’ behaviour and steps will be taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Riccardi was also part of the skit involving Fahey, while Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton were suspended for their costumes, which referenced the September 11 terrorist attack on New York’s twin towers.

Harvey Thomas and Joe Fonti were banned for acting inappropriately during their skit.

Greene was among six senior players fined $5000, with Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield re-enacting a slavery-themed scene from the movie Django Unchained.

Greene, Sam Taylor, Tom Green and Harry Perryman were fined for not showing leadership at the function and stepping in to stop the skits.