GWS Giants fined $100,000, docked 1000 draft points over role in Lachie Whitfield affair

GWS has been fined $100,000 and stripped of 1000 draft points after being found guilty by the AFL over its role in the Lachie Whitfield affair.

Giants midfielder Lachie Whitfield. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GREATER Western Sydney has lashed the AFL for dragging its heels on the 19-month Lachie Whitfield drugs probe.

The Giants were slapped with a $100,000 fine and the loss of 1000 draft points for their role in the long-running Whitfield saga.

The docked draft points is the equivalent of about pick 17.

It was a far more palatable outcome for the AFL expansion club than the possible loss of picks 15 and 37 that was mooted before this year’s national draft.

DRUGS SAGA: LACHIE WHITFIELD, GWS GIANTS CHARGED

BANS ANNOUNCED: WHITEFIELD, ALLAN AND LAMBERT COP BANS

ALLAN OUT: ALLAN WON’T RETURN TO COLLINGWOOD

GWS chairman Tony Shepherd said the club accepted the AFL decision but stressed the investigation should have been resolved many months ago.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Shepherd told the Herald Sun.

Lachie Whitfield training with the Giants last year. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“They (the AFL) should have a good look at how they can speed up the process.

“It’s taken far too long, but we’d like to rule a line under this one and get on with the job and start worrying about footy.”

The Giants were charged under AFL Rule 2.3, which reads in part: “Conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute.”

Whitfield was hidden at the home of GWS welfare manager Craig Lambert in May 2015 on the advice of former Giants football boss Graeme “Gubby” Allan, but revelations of an AFL investigation did not surface until August this year.

The Giants refused to accept a penalty deal on the eve of the draft and demanded a hearing before the AFL Commission.

AFL lawyer Jeff Gleeson, QC, presented the league’s case to a commission sub-committee headed by league chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.

Lachie Whitfield in action for the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The subcommittee told GWS it had to accept some responsibility for the conduct of Whitfield, Allan and Lambert.

In a statement released last night, the AFL applauded the Giants for their “prompt action” once it became aware of the Whitfield issue and noted that the subcommittee found the Giants board, chief executive and chief operating officer “had no knowledge of the offending conduct and the club’s governance in relation to this matter could not be criticised”.

Allan and Lambert were each banned for 12 months and Allan subsequently quit his new job at Collingwood.

Whitfield was banned for six months.