‘Set a new standard’: Why the AFL had to come down so hard on GWS

In May, the Giants were educated about the prevalence of violence against women, which is why their “Wacky Wednesday” antics were so jarring. The AFL had to act, writes Lachlan McKirdy.

The AFL has come down hard on GWS. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“I think our playing group is super respectful, our guys are really good people and gentlemen.

“It’s not something we focus on too much because we think it’s quite organic and it comes naturally. But it is important in society to preach good habits and be good role models.”

They were the words from Toby Greene in an interview with this masthead in May. The Giants skipper and his teammates had just listened to Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly talk about the epidemic of violence against women and children in Australia.

She had been invited by the club to speak ahead of the Sydney derby in round eight where the league had organised pre-game tributes for women who had lost their lives to gendered violence.

Statistics collated by OurWatch show how prevalent this issue is. Two-in-five Australian women have experienced violence since the age of 15, while on average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner.

Kinnersly’s overarching message was for the players to use the position of privilege they are in to lead the conversation, and to lead by example.

The Swans and Giants came together in solidarity for zero tolerance to violence against women before the Sydney Derby in May. Photo by Phil Hillyard

“It is an opportunity that you do have as men to challenge each other and to not accept language that’s disrespectful and sexist,” Kinnersly told them.

Other key figures, including Giants chief executive David Matthews and coach Adam Kingsley reflected on the discussion.

“What’s happening in society at the moment is a true horror,” Matthews said, while Kingsley called on his senior leaders to “know the standard they’re trying to set” on this topic.

That’s just part of the reason why the behaviour at the Giants’ ‘Wacky Wednesday’ gathering was so disappointing. This is a group who have said all the right things publicly and taken such measures as donating money towards OurWatch, a leader in the primary prevention of gendered violence.

Yet in a moment behind closed doors, the actions of a few, and the silence of many, let them down. And the AFL had no choice but to act.

The “Troubled Couples” theme from the Giants’ post-season gathering was concerning for many reasons. The night has seen six players hit with suspensions, while a further seven players have been hit with $5000 fines for their involvement, or for failing to put an end to it.

The range of outfits spanned from Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton simulating the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre towers, to Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield reenacting a scene characterising slavery from the movie Django Unchained.

The most disturbing outfits and acts, however, were those that referred to high-profile sexual assault cases. Harvey Thomas dressed as Australian basketball Josh Giddey, who was accused, and eventually cleared, of engaging in inappropriate behaviour with an underage girl.

Worst of all was a skit featuring youngster Josh Fahey, who was dressed as former rugby league footballer Jarryd Hayne, performing “simulated inappropriate acts” with a blow-up sex doll. Hayne was jailed in 2023 for sexual assault, but had his conviction quashed and was released from jail this June.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon announced the sanctions on Thursday. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The details eventually made their way back to the club and AFL, sparking an investigation. While an anonymous tip-off from a worker at the venue was the main source, it is also understood at least one other person close to a player in attendance brought the details to light after being given a rundown of what had occurred.

At best, the events of the night highlight a severe lack of judgement. At worst, they display an absence of understanding of the severity of the incidents they’re satirising and a lack of respect for the women in their lives.

For the Giants, that extends far beyond the families of the players involved.

Every day at their Sydney Olympic Park headquarters they interact with female coaches and staff, as well as the club’s AFLW and netball players.

To its credit, the AFL has been thorough in their investigation. CCTV was sourced and players were questioned. But in the end, internal club sanctions – likely to be monetary only – were the proposed result by the Giants who felt suspensions were a step too far.

The AFL simply had no alternative. This is the same organisation that initiated pre-game moments of silence in May where players stood shoulder-to-shoulder as a tribute to women who had lost their lives to gendered violence. In retrospect, those actions would have meant nothing if they had let this slide.

“There is absolutely no excuse for the behaviour that took place and we’re very distressed by some of the incidents that occurred,” Matthews said in a statement on Thursday.

“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.”

The Giants’ AFLW playing group also ensured their voice was represented in the response, saying they were “hurt and angered” when they were informed of the incident.

“As the AFLW playing group, we feel it is of great importance to stress that the behaviour that included references to gender-based violence is completely unacceptable under any circumstances,” GWS captain Rebecca Beeson said. “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.”

Are the sanctions extreme? Absolutely, and the commentary online highlights as much. But the same vitriol that has ensued in the 48 hours since the story broke shows just how important it is to draw a line in the sand.

There has been a willingness to put forward reasons that excuse the players for their behaviour. A lot of the focus appears to be on the fact the incident occurred in a private room. Somehow, the anonymous complainant has become target number one. The term ‘woke’ has rarely been used so frequently, yet incorrectly.

“You have to kind of hope these GWS boys have sacrificed a live goat or something at this pub cause these punishments are ridiculous for what is being told right now,” former Collingwood player Dane Swan posted on X.

“Also the bartender who ratted them deserves jail time. All time disgusting thing to do at a private event.”

These attitudes simply have to change. There is no environment, whether it’s in the middle of the MCG on grand final day or in the private room of an inner-city pub, where making light of sexual violence should be accepted.

It is not funny. It is not just looking for a laugh. And very clearly, it is far from a problem relegated to the AFL. It’s one that society as a whole needs to deal with.

As Kinnersly told news.com.au on Thursday, when these incidents occur it can damage the positive work that has been done in the space.

“Any kind of behaviour including jokes that are sexist or about sexual violence are not harmless,” she said.

“They normalise harmful attitudes toward women, minimise violence and reinforce harmful stereotypes. They contribute to a culture where violence against women is accepted and thrives.”

The AFL is one of the most powerful organisations in this country, its players some of our nation’s most recognisable stars. As erroneous or ‘out of character’ as some of these actions might have been, this is a chance to set a new standard and lead by example when it comes to addressing the issue that is gendered violence in Australia.