Jeremy Finlayson addresses homophobic slur against Essendon player

Port forward Jeremy Finlayson says he takes full responsibility for a homophobic slur used against an Essendon player on Friday night, as the AFL Integrity Unit investigates the incident.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 05: Jeremy Finlayson of the Power kicks the ball during the 2024 AFL Round 04 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval on April 05, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson said he knew “straight away” that the homophobic slur he used towards an Essendon player on Friday night was “not acceptable” and he will take “full responsibility” for it.

Finlayson used the slur in the third quarter of the Power’s big Friday night win over Essendon.

It was picked up by the umpires’ microphone and Essendon players also called it out.

The AFL’s Integrity Unit is investigating the slur.

Finlayson said the word he used was “very unacceptable in the game”.

“I take full responsibility for what happened Friday night,” Finlayson said.

“The word I used is very unacceptable in the game of football. We need to stamp it out and I’m very remorseful.”

Finlayson has addressed his homophobic slur. Pic: Michael Klein

The 28-year-old informed club officials that he had made the remark during the three-quarter time break and apologised to the Essendon player on-field after the final siren.

“I knew straight away that it was not acceptable and I take full responsibility,” Finlayson said.

“I addressed it at the time and … let everyone know what happened, and it’s now in the hands of the AFL to investigate.

“I’m continuing to reflect and improve myself, getting all the education I can to make myself better.”

Finlayson will also be counselled by Port Adelaide leaders in the coming days as he awaits the outcome of the Integrity Unit’s investigation.

KOCH: CLARKO ‘BENCHMARK’ COULD PREVENT FINLAYSON SUSPENSION

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch does not expect Jeremy Finlayson to be suspended despite the horrific nature of his homophobic slur given the precedent set by Alastair Clarkson’s recent punishment for a similar offence.

Finlayson has apologised after admitting his abuse to an Essendon opponent in the third quarter of the Power’s victory on Friday night.

The league’s integrity team is investigating and is likely to talk to the Essendon player as well as Finlayson before coming up with a punishment.

Finlayson apologised for the slur. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The slur which News Corp has chosen not to publish is the most offensive homophobic slur.

AFL football boss Laura Kane was asked on Sunday why Finlayson should not be suspended in the same manner as Taylor Walker, who was handed a six-week ban for racist comments.

She said the AFL was consistent in its approach to vilification but each case had to be treated independently.

Four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson was handed a two-game suspended ban and a $20,000 fine for labelling Jimmy Webster “c***-sucker” in the wake of his bump on Jy Simpkin.

Koch made clear on ABC TV on Sunday that precedent was more relevant than the Walker comparison.

He said the Power would consider their options to investigate Finlayson’s conduct after the AFL penalty was handed down.

“We will wait for the AFL process to play out before we do anything,” he said.

“We are not ruling it out but if you look at comparisons and benchmarks, a 55-year-old coach, premeditated, target the player, walk up to them. It’s very different to a player in the heat of battle when there was a lot of niggle on the game.

“(There is) absolutely no excuse. (We are) not condoning it, and it should not be part of the game, but if you are going to look at the comparison, that would be the benchmark.”

Asked about the Walker comparison he replied: “I don’t think that’s realistic. The benchmark has already been set with Alastair Clarkson.”

Port boss David Koch says he doesn’t expect Finlayson to be suspended. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Kane indicated the Clarkson suspension might be a comparison the league took into account.

“I think the comparison (to Walker) is how seriously we take it. We dealt with (Clarkson) with a really serious sanction and that all forms part of our decision making but we deal with this matter alone.

“We are working through an integrity investigation and while the consistency is how seriously we take them and the fact we don’t want to hear this being said anywhere, in terms of sanction we need to work out where we land.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Sunday: “Jeremy has come out, admitted making the comment and apologised. So we have got to work through what the accountability will be

We don’t want to put too much of a time frame on it, but it will be done this week.”

Finlayson kicked 3.1 and had 19 disposals in the Power’s dominant win over the Bombers.

The three goals came after an inaccurate start to the season by the 28-year-old, who can also play ruck.

On Sunday, South Australian premier Peter Malinaukas said it was good Finlayson apologised for making the slur.

“People make mistakes, we all do,” he said.

“It’s a great credit to Jeremy that he’s apologised quickly, he owned up to the mistake he has made.

“That’s the action of someone who has done the wrong thing and acted with integrity in following.

“Obviously people will make commentary on how disappointing it is, but here we have a young man who has made a mistake and owned up to it.”

Originally published as Jeremy Finlayson addresses homophobic slur against Essendon player