One of the AFL’s biggest stars has landed himself in hot water after it was revealed several GWS Giants players are facing suspensions or hefty fines following a fancy dress post-season performance.
It emerged on Tuesday that the AFL was carrying out an investigation into the incident after an anonymous complaint was made about ‘Wild Wednesday’ ‘couples in trouble’-themed party outfits.
The event was held in a private room in a pub and saw the team’s players perform “disgusting skits”, which included an inflatable doll, according to The age.
It is understood that up to six players who were allegedly involved in the skits will face sanctions or fines.
The club’s internal investigation has cleared the players of any illegal activity and the players are reportedly making submissions to the AFL about their sanctions today.
There is no allegation that any of the alleged conduct was criminal.
Nine News reporter Tom Morris also told SEN radio that a player had made a reference to disgraced rapper Sean Combs, also known as ‘P. Diddy’ during a skit and was set for the ‘toughest suspension.’
Up to six GWS players face fines and suspensions for what happened at the postseason show. Daily Mail Australia does not claim that any of the stars in the photo above were involved in any crime.
The AFL and the club have been conducting an investigation into the matter, but the investigation has cleared the players of any illegal activity.
Morris later added on X (formerly Twitter) that GWS captain Toby Greene faces a $20,000 fine. It is understood that he was not directly involved in the skits, but did not show adequate leadership in the situation.
Morris wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Some players have received heavy fines, even if they were not directly involved in the parody.
“Captain Toby Greene is one of them, who has been fined $20,000, essentially for not showing proper leadership in the situation.”
Seven News’ Mitch Cleary added that Greene “was dressed as Olympic breakdancer RayGun” but added that he “wasn’t directly involved in the nasty skits.”
After sharing captaincy duties with Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly in 2022, Adam Kingsley announced Green as the club’s sole captain in 2023, having played for the club for 13 seasons.
Mail Sport has contacted Greene and the Giants’ agents for comment. Gunn’s representatives were also contacted.
Another player is reportedly facing punishment after arriving at the event dressed as Australian Olympics breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn (pictured).
Captain Toby Greene reportedly dressed as Raygun, but faces a $20,000 fine for showing a lack of leadership.
Journalist Tom Morris stated that up to six players who allegedly participated in the parodies have been sanctioned.
Morris also claimed that Josh Faheywhose contract expired this season, is understood to be one of six players allegedly involved in the skits.
He added that Isaac Cumming and James Peatling are not understood to have been involved.
Morris added: “There is widespread surprise among players at the severity of the penalties and they are seeking to reduce them through their submissions.” ‘
It is understood coaches and staff were at the venue earlier in the evening but left before the offensive skits took place.
According Sam Edmund, SEN journalist, Some members of the team dressed as former NRL player Jarryd Hayne and Australian NBA star Josh Giddey during the event.
He also revealed that players could face suspensions of up to six games for the match.
“I suspect this will all come to light in time,” Edmund wrote on X (formerly Twitter). But GWS’s “celebrity couples” themed reunion involved players dressed up as Jarryd Hayne and Josh Giddey, among others.
Mitch Cleary stated that Greene was not “directly involved” in the skits and that the players “have until tomorrow to respond to the sanctions.”
Disgraced rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was reportedly the butt of a prank by a GWS Giants star who is now in hot water for his actions at the club’s Wacky Wednesday party.
‘There was an inflatable doll and other props used in the skits. The AFL has called for submissions but has proposed a range of sanctions, including a six-match suspension and a range of different fines.
Hayne recently returned to rugby league after the former Parramatta Eels star was released from jail after his rape conviction was overturned. The 36-year-old spent more than a year behind bars but was exonerated and currently works as a mentor for the Fiji Rugby League team.
NBA star Giddey was cleared following a police investigation into whether he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl. The investigation determined that the allegations made against him were false and the basketball star recently spoke out about the mental challenges he has faced since then.
SEN journalist Sam Edmund also claimed that some players had dressed up as Jarryd Hayne.
On Monday, Morris wrote on X: “One young player in particular, who is said to have made an ill-informed joke about P. Diddy, will receive the harshest suspension.”
‘A couple of players did a movie sketch, a player who will receive a significant fine dressed as Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn.
“I can’t imagine that player being fined for dressing up as Raygun, but who knows what actions that player did.”
American rapper Combs is currently in prison awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Morris added that the club found out about the scandal weeks ago and that some stars also found out about it a weekend before the AFL Grand Final.
GWS Giants released a statement on Wednesday, writing: “The Giants confirmed yesterday that the club is aware of allegations of inappropriate behavior at the players’ end-of-season event last month.
Reports claim some of the GWS players dressed up as former NRL player Jarryd Hayne.
The former Fiji player (pictured left in 2018) has recently been appointed as a mentor to the Fiji rugby league team.
Some GWS players had also reportedly dressed as NBA star Josh Giddey (pictured).
“The club is taking the matter very seriously and acted quickly upon receiving concerns.
“All parties have cooperated fully with the AFL to ensure the allegations are fully investigated,” the statement read.
‘Some of the accusations are worrying and totally contrary to the club’s values and policies.
‘There is also a level of misinformation and rumors circulating that is wholly inappropriate, especially while the investigation is ongoing.
“The club will make further comments once the results of the investigation are finalised.”
The AFL later added that its investigation is coming to an end.
“The AFL and GWS have been conducting an investigation into the Giants players’ post-season event, which is in its final stages,” the league wrote.
