Mark Robinson: Suspensions too heavy-handed for GWS’ stupid costume antics

Everlasting shame awaits the Giants at the centre of the “Troubled Couples” scandal, but let’s not mix stupidity with illegality, writes Mark Robinson. It could set a dangerous precedent.

Most times, an apology is both necessary and sufficient. But not this time.

The moronic planning of a dress-up night titled “Troubled Couples’’ – followed by offensive performances – has the Giants at the centre of a humiliating scandal.

Suspensions are looming. Fines are forthcoming. Shame will be everlasting.

Who could possibly have thought that taking a blow-up sex doll to a footy night, to dress up as Jarryd Hayne, or Josh Giddey, or anyone else with a controversial past, under the banner of comedy, was a you-beaut idea?

Young men, hair down, in private, in costume, belly full of beer … it’s a recipe for disaster.

The AFL is furious.

The Giants’ post-season function has turned into a mess. Picture: Getty Images

And the Giants, well, they are deeply embarrassed and disappointed, but clearly less judgmental than headquarters. They have built a terrific football club in a foreign land, and this post-season gathering of knuckleheads taints them as just another bonehead men’s sporting club. Yes, the stupidity is staggering. But don’t mix stupidity with illegality.

The Giants don’t want their players suspended. They are in total agreement the behaviour was offensive and inappropriate, but want financial penalties imposed instead.

They have argued that it was a players’ private event, that no women were present, no crimes were committed and no one got hurt.

Distasteful at times, absolutely, but hardly requiring players to carry a six-month burden until March next year when suspensions would be served.

And suspensions for what? Bad-taste jokes?

More to the discussion – and not part of the Giants’ submission to the AFL – is the question of how much power should the AFL enforce on the players in their private lives, when there was no illegal activity.

GWS players are facing suspensions. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

It’s a weird world – if it was in a room full of professional comedians, it would be ho-hum, but when it’s a room full of professional footballers masquerading as amateur comedians, it is a crime on society’s values.

The players should be penalised, no doubt, but suspensions are too heavy-handed.

A fine, and ownership of the mistake and an apology is sufficient.

Because the AFL has to be mindful of the precedent it would set for suspending players for poor-taste behaviour in a private setting.

“Mad Monday” or “Wacky Wednesday” days for AFL and AFLW players are now on notice and while stupid young men can get up to mischief, and so too can stupid young women.

And all it would take is one complaint.