GWS Giants skipper Toby Greene is facing a $20,000 fine from the club for his involvement in a controversial end-of-season party.
9News Melbourne’s chief footy reporter Tom Morris reports the players are on Wednesday making submissions to administrators in a bid to have the “hefty” sanctions reduced.
On Tuesday night, Morris said the AFL was “investigating claims of inappropriate behaviour relating to costumes and skits at the players-only post-season event”. Greene was reportedly dressed as Australia’s Olympic breaker Raygun at the party.
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On Wednesday, he reported the players had learned their fate.
“GWS players are today making submissions in relation to proposed AFL penalties,” Morris wrote on X.
“Some players have been hit with hefty fines, even if they weren’t involved directly with the skit.
“Captain Toby Greene is one of these, who has been sanctioned $20k, essentially for not showing adequate leadership in the situation.”
Morris said as many as six other players, including Josh Fahey, have been hit with match penalties.
He said there was “widespread surprise” among players about the severity of the penalties, but clarified he did not believe Greene’s attending the event dressed as Raygun was not the reason for his fine.
https://twitter.com/tommorris32/status/1846368360889831796
”They are seeking to have them reduced via their submissions,” he said.
Speaking on SEN on Wednesday morning, Morris said the Giants players believe the source of the complaint came from the bartender who was working in the private room they had hired.
He also said the Giants and the AFL integrity unit had been made aware of the incident several weeks ago.
The Giants’ season finished in week two of the finals when they were defeated by five points by eventual premiers Brisbane.
GWS confirmed an investigation was underway on Tuesday.
“The Giants are aware of an anonymous allegation of inappropriate behaviour at the players’ end-of-season event last month,” the statement read.
“The club and its integrity unit have been working with the AFL’s integrity unit to investigate. The club will make no further comment until the outcomes of the investigation have been finalised.”