AFLPA calls out AFL investigation into GWS Giants’ ‘Wacky Wednesday’ conduct

The AFL Players Association has hit out at the league’s probe into the conduct of GWS players during their Wacky Wednesday event and questioned the AFL’s commitment to cultural change.

The AFL Players’ Association has called out the AFL over the investigation into the conduct of GWS Giants players at their post-season gathering last month, as well as highlighting their concerns with the league’s commitment to cultural change.

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh conveyed several issues over how the conduct of the Giants’ players was examined, and that the probe “lacked procedural fairness”.

Marsh also argued that in the AFLPA’s view, the sanctions handed down were extreme. Josh Fahey received a four-game ban, five other GWS players were suspended and seven were fined. Those sanctions were all scaled down by the AFL following submissions from the AFLPA, players and the club.

“We have serious concerns with the way the AFL has conducted their process around this issue,” Marsh said.

“They sought to interview players without independent support, did not make relevant materials available to players as part of the interview process, and imposed unreasonable time frames on players to respond to their proposed sanctions.

“This process lacked procedural fairness, and procedural fairness is critical to ensuring integrity and confidence in AFL processes.”

AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh.

The statement also referenced the AFLPA’s concern that player leaders were sanctioned, but non-playing leaders were not.

“(The punishments showed) an inconsistent approach to how player leaders have been dealt with as compared to the broader club leaders. With respect to the proposed sanctions, we believed these were disproportionate, and again made without reference to any sanctioning framework. We note the AFL revised some of the sanctions in response to ours and other submissions.”

In response to the AFLPA’s statement, the AFL remained steadfast in its belief that the Giants’ actions were unacceptable as they work towards a more inclusive game.

“Making light of any gender-based violence is not acceptable in any setting at any time,” the AFL said.

“Both the club and the players have acknowledged that and owned the accountability.

“Respect is not an option, it is a non-negotiable and we will continue to work until everyone in our game understands that.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon conveyed on Thursday his disappointment with the Giants’ actions as he addressed the “terrible choices” made by players.

Marsh echoed those sentiments, beginning his statement with an acknowledgment that the conduct by the Giants players was “unacceptable” and offering his thoughts to the Giants’ AFLW playing group and the wider football community.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon and football boss Laura Kane. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

However, he felt the actions of the Giants’ men’s players last September also shone a light on a broader need for cultural change in the industry.

“As an industry, we have had too many cultural issues and we have not worked hard enough to set and role model the standards expected,” Marsh said.

“This does not excuse individual choices and decisions but they are not made in a vacuum. For many years, the industry has walked past this type of behaviour and accepted it as a part of footy culture, and this is the culture that we all are now responsible for.”

While the AFLPA did not make clear whether there would be any further action taken over the sanctions handed down to players, Marsh did confirm that the organisation wants to continue to work with the AFL to “improve our industry”.

Several Giants players have been sanctioned. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“Until we get serious about changing our culture, the industry will continue to send mixed messages that will let our fans, our players and our community down,” he said.

Dillon confirmed during his press conference that the AFL had the players’ “full co-operation”, but laid down a marker that the sanctions will be a line in the sand going forward.

“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,” Dillon said.

“There is nothing funny or clever about these actions and we are not as a code and competition prepared to accept these behaviours.

“We are also very disappointed that none of the leaders sanctioned sought to stop the behaviour.

“What transpired at (this) 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.”