- Men were investigated for the celebrations of Crazy Wednesday
- The AFL slapped them with suspensions and bans for inappropriate skits.
- The club’s AFLW is not happy with the men’s behavior
AFLW players, including the captain of the Giants first grade women’s team, have spoken out against GWS men’s players sanctioned by the AFL for their controversial end-of-season party.
Thirteen players were handed sanctions for infamous Wacky Wednesday celebrations that included offensive skits, with an anonymous source complaining to the AFL.
Following an AFL investigation, GWS fringe player Josh Fahey (four-game suspension) dressed as former NRL player Jarryd Hayne and Jake Riccardi (two-match suspension) as a taxi driver.
Over the course of the play, Fahey simulated inappropriate acts with a sex doll. Riccardi did not participate in that part of the sketch.
Harvey Thomas (two-match suspension) dressed as a professional athlete believed to be Josh Giddey and Joe Fonti (two-match suspension) as a girl, acting inappropriately during their skit.
Connor Idun ($5,000 fine) and Lachie Whitfield ($5,000 fine) recreated a scene from the movie Django Unchained depicting slavery.
Toby McMullin (two-game suspension) and Cooper Hamilton (two-game suspension) It simulated the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
Additionally, club leaders Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Tom Green and Harry Perryman were fined $5,000 each for failing to show “appropriate levels of leadership” by failing to prevent the events from continuing.
GWS Giants AFLW Captain Rebecca Beeson has issued a statement on behalf of the women’s playing group regarding the sanctions imposed on the men’s team.
Captain Toby Greene was one of 13 players sanctioned by the AFL for the club’s end-of-season Wacky Wednesday celebrations.
It is also understood there was a spoof involving American music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who is being investigated for sex trafficking and assault.
The club has reported that it will provide additional training to the entire group of players, in addition to the already mandatory educational sessions in relation to violence against women and racial and religious defamation.
The AFL had paid tribute to women killed by domestic violence in May by holding a minute’s silence at the start of each match.
Now Giants AFLW captain Rebecca Beeson has issued a statement on behalf of the club’s players.
“It is important that we make it known that we are deeply hurt and angry to learn of the behavior that occurred,” Beeson said.
‘Playing the game we love gives us a platform to talk to the community, fans and young people.
‘As an AFLW playing group, we believe it is of great importance to underline that behavior that includes references to gender-based violence is completely unacceptable under any circumstances.
‘The values of respect, diversity and inclusion are as important off the field as on it.
“We hope the AFL playing group learns from this incident and as a club we are united in ensuring everyone feels safe in our game.”
The sanctions have received strong backlash from supporters who have labeled the AFL “woke” and even called for a boycott of matches in 2025.
But Richmond AFLW star Monique Conti said the AFL did the right thing by imposing the fines and suspensions.
“You’re mature enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong at the end of the day,” Conti told Nine’s AFLW Weekly podcast.
“Everyone probably expects to know what is appropriate and what is not.”