GWS Giants have confirmed that Josh Fahey has been handed a four-match suspension by the AFL for a costume he wore at the club’s end-of-season function and for his involvement in a skit performed at the event.
Thirteen players in total were sanctioned by the AFL for breaches of rule 2.3(a) relating to unbecoming conduct after it had been announced that the league was conducting an investigation into the ‘controversial couples’-themed fancy dress event.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon condemned the ‘completely unaceptable’ behaviour saying, ‘terrible choices were made.’ The executive has also praised the individual who made the anonymous complaint. It is understood that CCTV from the venue was used as part of the AFL’s investigation.
Fahey was handed the heaviest sanction, after the AFL said he had dressed up as a former NRL player, with The Age saying he had dressed as ex-Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne.
Hayne was jailed in 2024 for sexual assault but was released from prison earlier this year after the conviction was overturned and the charges were dropped.
In a statement, the AFL said Jake Riccardi had partnered him dressing 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,’ the league said.
Riccardi, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas, Joe Fonti and Cooper Hamilton, all received two-match bans for their costumes and involvement in the skits.
The AFL has since explained the nature of the costumes worn by other players following its investigation.
‘Players Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre and wore costumes related to that event,’ the league said.
The AFL added: ‘Harvey Thomas dressed as a particular professional sportsman and Joe Fonti as a girl, and the pair “acted inappropriately during their skit.’
Josh Fahey was handed a four-game ban for his costume and involvement in a skit
Jake Riccardi and four other players were handed two-match suspensions following their involvement
As revealed earlier this evening, Connor Idun had ‘enacted a scene from the movie Django Unchained characterising slavery’ in a skit that also involved Lachie Whitfield.
Toby Greene, Sam Taylor, Tom Green, Lachlan Keeffe and Harry Perryman were also fined $5,000 for failing to uphold the values of the club.
‘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,’ Dillon said.
He added: ‘We are very disappointed that none of the leaders sanctioned sought to stop the behaviour.’
Reports claimed that Greene had been dressed as Olympic breakdancing star Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn but had not been involved in any of the skits. His manager spoke on SEN on Thursday claiming that the GWS skipper recognised that he ‘needed to be better.’
In a statement issued to the club, Greene, who was appointed the club’s lone captain in 2023, said: ‘Firstly, I would like to apologise for the events that occurred.
‘As a leader of the club and captain of the team, I am embarrassed that we are in this situation and that I failed to uphold my responsibilities as a leader to prevent it. I am disappointed I did not adequately process the situation, and intervene, in the moment.
‘Some of the costumes and skits that took place are unbecoming and contrary to the values of our club and the standards we expect of the playing group. I understand that as leaders we need to learn from this situation and ensure it never happens again.’
Giants’ vice-captains, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly were not in attendance at the event.
Fahey had dressed up as former NRL star Jarryd Hayne (left) during the party
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon branded the incident as ‘completely unaceptable’ and said ‘terrible choices were made’
The AFL revealed that Connor Idun (pictured) along with Lachie Whitfield ‘had enacted a scene from the movie Django Unchained, characterising slavery’
Idun had been fined $5,000 for the incident and had also dressed as Jamie Foxx’s character Django (pictured)
There is no accusation that any of the alleged behaviour was criminal.
The Giants also stated that their investigation had cleared the players of any illegal conduct.
A source told The Age that the AFL Players Association’s appeals had managed to reduce eight of the 13 players’ sanctions – with the outlet claiming that Fahey’s ban had been reduced from six games to four.
There is nothing funny or clever about these actions and we are not as a code and competition prepared to accept these behaviours.
‘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 in a statement.
‘There is nothing funny or clever about these actions and we are not as a code and competition prepared to accept these behaviours.
‘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.
He added: ‘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.’
Toby Greene (second from left) has been fined $5,000 for failing to show leadership
Green had reportedly dressed as Australian Olympian Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn
Dillon expressed his ‘disappointment’ at the behaviour and issued an apology to the community.
The Giants, meanwhile, have stated that the club is committed to ‘providing further and meaningful education for the entire AFL playing group.’
GWS added that it would also ‘review and implement practices to strengthen and enhance culture’ and ‘review practices and procedures around player events’.
Coaches and staff were understood to have been in attendance for early parts of the Wacky Wednesday event but had departed before the skits.
Giants chief executive officer David Matthews said: ‘There is absolutely no excuse for the behaviour that took place and we’re very distressed by some of the incidents that occurred.
‘As a club built on the values of inclusiveness and respect for all, it was a clear breach of the club’s policies and values as well as a significant departure from the standards of behaviour that we expect of our players.
‘We have taken these matters seriously from the outset with a full investigation by the club, alongside the AFL.
‘On behalf of the club, I apologise to our members, partners and all stakeholders. ‘The players involved have apologised unreservedly for their behaviour and take responsibility for contravening the standards we expect in relation to respect, equality, inclusion and safety.
‘We believe this is an isolated incident, but we understand the severity of the situation and the sanctions reflect that. As a club, alongside the AFL playing group, we take full responsibility and are implementing measures to ensure this never happens again.’
Giants AFLW captain Rebecca Beeson also condemned the behaviour in the statement.
‘It is important that we make it known that we were deeply hurt and angered when learning of the behaviour that occurred,’ Beeson said.
She added: ‘The values of respect, diversity and inclusion are as important off the field as they are on it. We look forward to the AFL playing group learning from this incident and as a club, we are united in ensuring everyone feels safe within our game.’
