A senior women’s football player has walked away from her club after a Mad Monday stunt involving the men’s team that made fun of serious sexual assault allegations made against an AFL club.
A Box Hill North Football Club player was allegedly pictured dressed as a schoolgirl, with another player dressed in full St Kilda kit pretending to sexually assault them.
The image relates to the 2010 ‘St Kilda schoolgirl’ scandal, which was a major Australian media controversy involving a 17-year-old girl and players from the AFL club.
It included allegations of sexual relationships, false pregnancy claims and the public release of nude images. A police investigation found no illegal activity relating to the sexual contact allegations.
Genna Krienke was part of the leadership group of the Box Hill North women’s side in 2025 and was presented with the coaches award at the end of the season.
However, she said she had to walk away from the club after reporting the men’s players and their costumes, only to spend months waiting for the club to take action.
The Box Hill North Football Club is investigating Mad Monday celebrations from 2025 that allegedly saw a player dress as a schoolgirl and pretend to sexually assault another player in a St Kilda jersey (pictured)
Another image showing players in phallic costumes, with one wearing blackface, is also being investigated (pictured)
‘When I first saw it, I was outraged and disgusted,’ Krienke told the ABC.
‘I could not believe that he was dressing up in an outfit of a young girl who had made allegations of sexual [misconduct] against very powerful people in society.’
Krienke approached the club in August about the costumes, but claimed no action was taken.
An additional photograph, which remained on Instagram for over three months, depicted another player wearing full-body blackface and a prosthetic phallus.
When Krienke took that image up with the club, she allegedly learned that no action had been taken over the first image.
A senior figure involved with the men’s side was allegedly present at the event, but took no further action.
It wasn’t until this month that action was taken after media contacted Box Hill North FC.
The club released a statement saying it ‘sincerely apologises for any offence caused following the players’ end-of-season gathering’.
Genna Krienke (centre) was part of the club’s leadership team but has since left the club after making a complaint about the costumes
Krienke first reported the St Kilda and schoolgirl costume in August, but no action was taken until January
‘Certain costumes and associated social media posts were inappropriate and do not reflect our values or the inclusive environment we strive to provide,’ the statement read.
‘To be clear, the club strongly condemns this behaviour and is taking the matter extremely seriously.’
Velvet Micale is another former Box Hill North player who said she was shocked by the images and the lack of apology from the club.
She said other women’s players were also considering leaving the club as a result.
‘Everyone’s just devastated and in disbelief that this is happening,’ Micale said.
‘Then there’s no accountability. I think that’s the big problem as well. I mean, I was horrified because we had an under-18 player and that’s what they’re mimicking, someone her age being assaulted. It’s unfunny. It’s wrong.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Krienke and Box Hill North FC president Laurie Zarafa for comment.
Box Hill North has since referred the issue to its governing body, the Victorian Amateur Football Association, which has briefed AFL Victoria and requested guidance on possible responses, including educational measures or disciplinary action.
Krienke has since left the club and another former player said other women are considering cutting their ties as well
The club is now waiting on that advice before the committee determines its final stance.
‘The VAFA acknowledge recent media reporting of complaints made about offensive costumes worn by some players from a VAFA Club at a post-2025 season social gathering and the subsequent posting of photos on social media (which have since been removed),’ the VAFA said in a statement.
‘This matter was first brought to our attention on 1st January 2026. The VAFA has appointed an independent investigator to investigate the matter and has the commitment from the Club’s Committee of its full support and disclosure.
‘The VAFA will make no further comment during the investigation and will do so only when the matter has been brought to a close.’
In a separate statement, Box Hill North FC said it was committed to inclusion and delivering a safe environment for all players.
‘Our volunteer committee is committed to ensuring our club is a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone,’ the statement read.
‘The club is committed to strengthening education, reinforcing our code of conduct, and continuing to review our policies and practices.
‘We remain focused on learning from this experience and fostering a culture built on respect, accountability, and inclusion.’
At the time of publication Krienke was still pictured on the Box Hill North FC Instagram account in a picture of the 2025 Leadership Team.
A follower of the club has since commented: ‘Genna showing her guts as a leader in and off the field by refusing to stand by a club that allows misogyny and racism to go unchecked.’
‘The fact they did nothing for four months, waiting for it to blow over and only actually did something once it got to the media,’ another replied with a vomit emoji.
Krienke has received plenty of comments praising her for her leadership in calling out the offensive costumes.
‘Thank you Genna for stepping into risky territory to raise the alarm, to call it out; and repeatedly. A true leader,’ read one comment on social media.
Another read: ‘Well done Genna, we need to speak up about normalising and making “fun” of SA’.
