An eastern suburbs venue owned by billionaire publican Arthur Laundy is facing sanction from the state’s liquor and gaming watchdog over a wild Greater Western Sydney Giants end-of-season party in which a player simulated inappropriate acts on an inflatable doll and others dressed up as New York’s fallen twin towers.
The post-season gathering last September resulted in suspensions being handed down to six players from the AFL club, while senior players were fined for not showing the required leadership to bring the festivities under control.
The rebranded Woolly Bay Hotel was the setting for the Giants’ function.Credit: Jared Lyons
The venue, the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel, has also been under scrutiny, with investigators from Liquor & Gaming NSW viewing CCTV footage from the day as well as interviewing staff from the pub.
The industry regulator said on Tuesday that it had completed its probe after receiving a complaint about inappropriate behaviour during the event.
“The investigation considered alleged indecent conduct on the premises and failure by the venue to take reasonable steps to prevent behaviour likely to encourage the misuse and abuse of alcohol,” it said in a statement.
“[Liquor & Gaming NSW] determined that the alleged breaches warranted referral to the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority, which will now consider two disciplinary complaints.”
Josh Fahey was suspended for four matches over the Giants party, the heaviest of the player penalties.Credit: Getty Images
Rebranded as the Woolly Bay after undergoing a $14 million refresh in 2022, the venue is operated by one of the country’s largest family-run hospitality groups, Laundy Hotels.
Headed by Rich Lister Arthur Laundy, it owns dozens of other pubs, including Northies at Cronulla, the Light Brigade at Woollahra, Rozelle’s Red Lion Hotel and the Oxford Hotel in Drummoyne.
Laundy, who is overseas, was contacted for comment.
The AFL came down hard on the Giants last October over the party, at which some players took part in skits after dressing according to a theme of “controversial couples”.
GWS player Josh Fahey copped the heaviest ban, of four matches, after posing as ex-NSW State of Origin and Australian international rugby league player Jarryd Hayne and simulating inappropriate acts on a sex doll. Hayne was twice jailed for sexual assault before having his convictions overturned for a second time last year.
Fellow Giants players Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton were among several to receive two-match suspensions after re-enacting the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre and wearing costumes related to that event, according to the AFL.
There was also a skit performed by Harvey Thomas and Joe Fonti, who were also hit by two-game bans, in which they played a professional sportsman and a girl, the AFL said.
This masthead reported last October that a player had dressed as Australian basketballer Josh Giddey, who was cleared last year by the NBA and police in the US after an investigation into allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.
Two other players, Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield, were involved in acting out a scene depicting slavery from the film Django Unchained.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said at the time “the skits were unacceptable”.
Nine months later, attention now turns to what disciplinary action, if any, the venue that hosted the controversial antics may be slapped with.
Penalties that can be imposed by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority if complaints are upheld include fines, the suspension of individuals’ licences connected to venues, and new conditions being placed on a licence.
Liquor & Gaming NSW said it was “committed to holding licensed venues accountable and reminds operators that serious penalties may apply for breaches of liquor laws, licence conditions or failures in the responsible service of alcohol”.
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