AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon drops huge penalties on GWS Giants

“Acts on a sex doll” and “characterising slavery” were among the distressing acts played out by GWS players at their team function.

AFL boss Andrew Dillon has announced significant suspensions and fines for GWS Giants players involved in the club’s now notorious “Wacky Wednesday” dress-up skits.

Dillon spoke at a hastily arranged press conference on Thursday evening, when he announced the players involved had broken league rules in relation to “conduct unbecoming”.

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The AFL integrity unit interviewed players and officials at the Giants and handed down some hefty penalties, including a four-game suspension for 20-year-old Josh Fahey — who is currently without a contract — for the start of the 2025 season.

“Today gives me no pleasure standing here,” Dillon began. “These sanctions have been determined by an AFL and GWS Giants investigation.

“In the view of the AFL, and the GWS Giants, some of the skits were completely unacceptable and totally at odds with the club’s and the code’s values.”

Dillon then went on to clarify some of the skits that had been speculated upon in the press in recent days and the sanctions.

Andrew Dillon and Josh Fahey, who was handed the stiffest penalty. Photos: Fox Sports/News Corp

“Josh Fahey dressed as a former NRL player and Jake Riccardi as a taxi driver.

“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 Center.

“Harvey Thomas dressed as a particular professional sportsman and Joe Fonti as a girl acting inappropriately.

“Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield acted out a skit from the film Django Unchained characterising slavery.

“Based on the findings and discussions with the AFL commission and the club, Josh Fahey has been suspended for four matches.

“Jake Riccardi, Cooper Hamilton, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas and Joe Fonti have been suspended for two matches each.

GWS players after the season-ending loss to the Lions. (Photo by Phil Hillyard)

“Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield have been fined $5000 each.

“Club leaders including Toby Greene and Tom Green ... have been fined $5000 each.”

On Wednesday, some of the GWS Giants players involved and some of the subjects at the centre of the “distasteful” dress-up skits were revealed.

The incident took place at a post-season event with a dress-up theme of “celebrity couples”, and while the Giants’ own probe cleared the players of any illegal activity, the league has come down hard on those involved.

Heavy punishments were tipped to be coming that would impact GWS’ start to the 2025 campaign and that has now transpired.

Earlier on Thursday, it emerged Greene acknowledged he “needed to be better” and was facing up to a $20,000 fine for failing to pull up teammates.

Jarryd Hayne was reportedly a subject of the dress-up party. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

The fine ended up being well below that, but he was still penalised for showing a lack of leadership in not stopping his teammates.

Dillon was still trying to come to terms with the decision made by the Giants as he answered questions from the press.

“When the complaint came through, I had a range of emotions,” he said. “Disbelief, disappointment and then a range of emotions since then.

“Our clubs celebrate the end of their seasons and do it in good spirits most of the time.

“Some terrible choices were made a couple of Wednesdays back.”

Greene’s manager, Paul Connors, conceded to some fault on the captain’s behalf but said the timing of the party, held soon after GWS gave up a 44-point lead in the semi-final loss to the Brisbane Lions, impacted his behaviour.

“Toby accepts that he’s the leader of the club and he needed to be better,” Connors told SEN on Thursday morning.

“But additionally, he had as much interest being on that Mad Monday as you would have done. He’d lost a game that he was up by 44 points.

“He was emotionally drained and not in a state of thinking about anything.

“So yes, Toby accepts that he could have done things better, but again, it’s others to debate whether $20,000 is too much.”

Skipper Toby Greene acknowledged his role in the scandal, according to his manager. (Photo by Phil Hillyard)

The Giants released their own statement on Thursday evening.

“There is absolutely no excuse for the behaviour that took place and we’re very distressed by some of the incidents that occurred,” Giants chief executive David Matthews said.

“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.”

Originally published as AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon drops huge penalties on GWS Giants