LGBTQI+ campaigner says Jeremy Finlayson’s ban should have matched Taylor Walker’s racism ban

A leading LGBTQI+ campaigner has taken aim at the AFL’s punishment for Jeremy Finlayson, saying it reflects the league’s disappointing attitude towards homophobia.

Jeremy Finlayson has issued an apology for a homophobic slur aimed at an Essendon player at this weekends Gather Round game. Picture: PAFC

A passionate LGBTQI+ campaigner has taken aim at the AFL’s punishment for Jeremy Finlayson, saying it reflects the league’s disappointing attitude towards homophobia.

The AFL on Wednesday handed the Port Adelaide forward a three-match suspension for conduct unbecoming after an “unprompted, highly homophobic slur” to an unnamed Essendon player last Friday night.

Angie Greene, chief executive of Stand Up, a not-for-profit dedicated to fighting sexual and gender discrimination in Australian sport, said Finlayson should have copped a six-game ban, matching what Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker received for racial vilification in 2021.

Greene believed a reason why the two sanctions differed was there was no visibility of queer men in the AFL or VFL.

Finlayson was given a three-game ban. Pic: Michael Klein

“When people are using racist terms, they know not only is it abhorrent and revolting but they’ve directly insulted, offended and hurt someone they’ve played with or against,” Greene said.

“We don’t have that in the AFL when it comes to homophobia.

“The word f-----, I say that’s exactly the same as using the N word.

“I genuinely think racism and homophobia need to be dealt with in exactly the same way.

“Sadly, I think the punishment is super predictable in the way it reflects how the AFL and society in general treat casual homophobia, and homophobia in general.”

Finlayson was immediately contrite, apologised and made full, frank admissions in following days, which the AFL stressed was why he did not get a longer suspension.

His sanction includes having to attend “Pride in Sport” education counselling, which he will pay for.

The AFL Players Association slammed the league for double standards, in light of North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson escaping a ban for making an anti-gay slur during a pre-season match last month.

The four-time premiership mentor instead copped a $20,000 fine and suspended two-game ban.

Greene, the daughter of Hawthorn Hall of Famer Russell Greene and brother of ex-Hawk Steven Greene, said homophobic comments were still extremely common in the AFL.

She recalled addressing players at four Victorian AFL clubs before Covid, asking if they heard homophobic language in their environment on a weekly basis and “100 per cent of hands went up”.

Angie Greene, CEO of Stand Up. Picture: Chris Eastman

“We’ve had two very public examples in the past six weeks and in public or at barbecues I’m met with shock that this still happens,” she said.

“But this is absolutely not shocking at all.

“This language is still absolutely prevalent, not only in AFL clubs and the industry, but in community and grassroots clubs.

“It was happening back in dad’s day and my brother’s day, and way more acceptable then, but not much has changed.

“An apology is wonderful and necessary, and I’ve got no doubt Jeremy is feeling remorse, but this is someone’s place of work, and it’s 2024.

“There are so many people in the space, myself included, who have been trying to get education into the AFL clubs for over a decade because we want this type of thing to be proactive, not reactive.

“But it’s just never been a priority and doesn’t seem to matter as much as other things do, which I think is how people view the queer community in this space.”

Greene said her research showed nearly 50 per cent of gay and bisexual males intentionally excluded themselves from male-dominated team sport from a young age because they did not feel included.

She said homophobic language held so much venom.

“It’s not just a word, it’s a ripple effect that shatters people,” said Greene, who had lost four male friends to suicide before she turned 30.

Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies said there was no excuse for Finlayson’s comment, which was something he would have to live with forever.

Finlayson issued an apology on Sunday. Picture: PAFC

Although not mentioning Clarkson by name, Davies said “we think players and officials should be treated the same … and hope there is consistency into the future”.

“Jeremy was really clear with the AFL investigators that the minute it left his mouth he knew it was wrong,” said Davies, whom Finlayson informed about his comment at three-quarter time on Friday night.

“We will work with our entire group so that they’re more aware of the issues that are faced.”

Davies expected Finlayson would specifically apologise to Port Adelaide members of the LGBTQI+ community.

He said the club spoke to its AFLW squad “really early in the process”.

Finlayson will miss the Power’s next three games against Fremantle, Collingwood and St Kilda.

AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh acknowledged Finlayson’s slur had no place in the game or society.

But he said the association had “fundamental concerns about this and historical AFL outcomes that result in discrepancies when sanctioning players in comparison to officials”.

“We believe the AFL is consistently inconsistent and there are double standards in its approach to dealing with players compared to others on behavioural matters,” Marsh said.

“This issue highlights the lack of clarity on how the AFL handles these situations and we want this to be the catalyst for an urgent review of the sanctioning framework.

“If this type of conduct is a three-week sanction for a player, it should be for everyone involved in the game.

“I have expressed the AFLPA’s concerns directly with (league chief executive) Andrew Dillon.”

Alastair Clarkson was not suspended for homophobic language. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

The AFL has not yet organised Clarkson’s “Pride in Sport” education after a hectic start to the season.

It is yet to decide on the appropriate training course, which must be assigned and completed by the Kangaroos coach before the end of the season.

The AFL’s general counsel, Stephen Meade, said the league wanted all people LGBTQI+ communities to feel safe playing or attending our games.

“We know the incident that happened on the weekend does not assist this goal,” Meade said.

“As a code we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.”

Meade said the league would continue to consider incidents’ specific circumstances when determining responses.