One of the AFL’s biggest stars has landed himself in hot water after it was revealed that multiple GWS Giants players are facing suspensions or hefty fines following a fancy dress post-season function.
News broke on Tuesday that the AFL were conducting an investigation into the incident after an anonymous complaint was made about the ‘Wacky Wednesday’ ‘troubled couples’-themed party outfits.
The event had been held at a private room in a pub and had seen players from the team perform ‘unsavoury skits’, which had included a blow-up doll, according to The Age.
It is understood that up to six players who were allegedly involved in the skits are facing match penalties or fines.
The club’s internal probe has cleared the players of any illegal activity and players are reportedly making submissions to the AFL today over their sanctions.
There is no accusation that any of the alleged behaviour was criminal.
Nine News reporter Tom Morris also told SEN radio that one player had made reference to disgraced rapper Sean Combs, also known as ‘P. Diddy’ during a skit and was set for the ‘harshest suspension.’
As many as six GWS players are facing fines and suspensions over what happened at the post-season function. Daily Mail Australia does not assert that any of the stars in the above photo were involved in any wrongdoing
The AFL and the club have been conducting an investigation into the matter but the probe has cleared the players of any illegal activity
Morris later added on X (formerly Twitter) that GWS captain Toby Greene is facing a $20,000 fine. It is understood that he was not involved directly in the skits but had failed to show proper leadership in the situation.
Morris wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘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.’
Mitch Cleary of Seven News, added that Greene ‘went dressed as Olympic breakdancer RayGun’ but added he ‘wasn’t directly involved in the unsavoury skits’.
After sharing captaincy duties with Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly in 2022, Green was announced as the clubs sole captain by Adam Kingsley in 2023, having played for the club for 13 seasons.
Mail Sport has contacted Greene’s agents and the Giants for comment. Gunn’s representatives were also contacted.
Another player is reportedly facing punishment after arriving at the event dressed as Aussie Olympics breakdancer Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn (pictured)
Captain Toby Greene reportedly dressed as Raygun, but is facing a $20,000 fine for showing a lack of leadership
Journalist Tom Morris claimed that up to six players who were alleged to have been involved in the skits have been hit with penalties
Morris also claimed that Josh Fahey, whose contract expired this season, is understood to be one of the players one of the six players allegedly involved in the skits.
He added Isaac Cumming and James Peatling are not understood to have been involved.
Morris added: ‘There is widespread surprise among players with the severity of penalties and they are seeking to have them reduced via their submissions. ‘
Coaches and staff are understood to have been in the venue earlier in the evening but had departed before the offensive skits took place.
According to SEN journalist Sam Edmund, some members of the team had dressed as former NRL player Jarryd Hayne and Australian NBA star Josh Giddey during the event.
He also revealed that players could face bans of up to six matches for the party.
‘I suspect this will all come out in time,’ Edmund wrote on X (formerly Twitter) But GWS’ “celebrity couples” themed gathering involved players dressed up as Jarryd Hayne and Josh Giddey, among others.
Mitch Cleary stated that Greene was not ‘directly involved’ in the skits and that players ‘have until tomorrow to respond to the sanctions’
Disgraced rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was reportedly the butt of a joke by a GWS Giants star who is now in hot water over his actions at the club’s Wacky Wednesday party
‘There was a blow-up doll and other props used in skits. The AFL has requested submissions but has proposed a range of penalties, including a six-match ban and a raft of different fines.’
Hayne recently made his return to rugby league after the ex-Parramatta Eels star was released from jail after his rape conviction was quashed. The 36-year-old had spent more than a year behind bars but has been exonerated and is currently working as a mentor for Fiji’s Rugby League team.
NBA star Giddey was cleared following a police investigation into whether he had an improper relationship with an underage girl. The investigation determined the allegations made against him were false with the basketball star recently opening up on the mental challenges he has faced since.
SEN reporter Sam Edmund also claimed that some players had dressed up as Jarryd Hayne
On Monday, Morris wrote on X: ‘One young player in particular, who is said to have made an ill-informed joke about P. Diddy, is set for the harshest suspension.’
‘A couple of players did a skit from a movie, one player who is set to be fined quite significantly dressed up as Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn.
‘I can’t imagine that player being fined for dressing up as Raygun, but who knows what actions that player did.’
American rapper, Combs is currently in jail awaiting a trial on sex trafficking charges.
Morris added that the club had learned of the scandal weeks ago, with some stars also finding out one weekend before the AFL Grand Final.
GWS Giants released a statement on Wednesday, writing: ‘The Giants confirmed yesterday the club is aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour at the players’ end-of-season event last month.
Reports have claimed that some of the GWS players dressed up as ex-NRL player Jarryd Hayne
The ex-Fiji player (pictured left in 2018) has recently been appointed as a mentor for the Fiji rugby league team
It is reported that some GWS players had also dressed as NBA star Josh Giddey (pictured)
‘The club is taking the matter very seriously and acted swiftly upon the receipt of the concerns.
‘All parties have co-operated fully with the AFL to ensure the allegations are fully investigated,’ the statement read.
‘Some of the allegations are distressing and entirely contrary to the club’s values and policies.
‘There is also a level of misinformation and rumour being circulated which is entirely inappropriate, particularly while the investigation is ongoing.
‘The club will comment further once the outcomes of the investigation are finalised.’
The AFL later added that their investigation is nearing its conclusion.
‘The AFL and GWS have been undertaking an investigation into the Giants players’ post-season event, which is in its final stages,’ the league wrote.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk