GWS skipper Toby Greene has revealed his team had a much more ‘low-key’ end-of-season function this year, following last year’s Wacky Wednesday scandal that rocked the AFL.
Six Giants players were suspended and seven received fines following last year’s post-season party, which saw members of the squad dress in distasteful costumes and perform abhorrent skits.
The 13 players were sanctioned for breaching rule 2.3(a), which relates to unbecoming conduct, following the ‘controversial couples’ themed fancy dress event, which was blasted by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, who claimed that ‘terrible choices had been made by the players.
Josh Fahey was handed the heaviest sanction after it was revealed by the AFL that he had dressed as ex-Parramatta player Jarryd Hayne. Fahey was handed a four-match suspension. Meanwhile, Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, while wearing costumes related to the tragic disaster.
Greene, along with Sam Taylor, Tom Green, Lachlan Keeffe and Harry Perryman, were all fined for showing a lack of leadership and failing to uphold the values of the club.
But in the wake of the scandal, the club’s players have chosen not to dress up for this year’s end-of-season party, chosing instead to have a quieter gathering.
Toby Greene (right) has revealed that GWS Giants’ post-season celebrations were much more ‘low-key’ this season, after several of the club’s players were fined and banned after their Wacky Wednesday party in 2024
Greene revealed that the players this year just met up for a ‘low-key’ gathering (pictured with his partner Georgia)
Opening up on this year’s end-of-season bash, Greene told Channel Seven: ‘It was very low-key this year, we just had a catch-up all together and there was no dress-ups or anything like that.
‘It was very quiet.’
He again downplayed the nature of the party, adding: ‘I think it was just a given — it wasn’t really discussed.
‘It was very low-key.’
It comes after Geelong issued a statement on Wednesday, apologising for their Mad Monday antics, which saw several players, including Max Holmes and Bailey Smith cop criticism.
The club said it would be using this moment to further educate its players on expected standards, while also following suit of GWS in canning the Mad Monday fancy dress party.
‘Geelong Football Club sincerely apologises for the offence caused following our end-of-season gathering on Monday,’ a club spokesperson said.
‘Certain costumes and associated social media posts were inappropriate and a significant error of judgment, and do not reflect our Team of All commitment.
‘The Club has decided future post-season events will not continue in this current form, and we will take this moment to further educate our people on expectations and Club and community standards.’
Bailey Smith (left, pictured with Patrick Dangerfield) has been blasted after the footy star appeared to make a reference to Brokeback Mountain on his Instagram. The Geelong player had dressed with a western theme, before writing: ‘This is what losing a Granny does to ya,’ on his Instagram
Smith deleted this photo from his Instagram, with himself and Max Holmes (left) who was dressed as respected footy journalist Caroline Wilson
It came after Bailey Smith was branded a ‘homophobic loser’ by former West Coast player Mitch Brown – who made history coming out as the AFL’s first openly bisexual player.
Smith had also deleted an Instagram post with himself and Max Holmes, who had been dressed as respected journalist Caroline Wilson. The Cats midfielder, who came third in this year’s Brownlow medal race, captioned the post: ‘Caro has never looked better’, adding a dripping sweat emoji, which often can have sexual connotations.
On Wednesday, the AFL revealed that they would not be punishing Geelong over the celebrations, instead leaving the club to handle the situation itself.
Though general manager Greg Swann was left disappointed by the players’ actions.
‘Look, we have spoken to Geelong and had a chat to (chief executive) Steve Hocking,’ Swann said.
‘They’re actually dealing with it. We’ve always – well, certainly in my time – we think the clubs are the best people to deal with it, their players.
‘We’re not thrilled, obviously, with what happened – and nor are Geelong.
‘So they’re going to take some steps. I think there’ll be something coming out this afternoon around that.
‘And so we’ve pushed it down to them to deal with, so we’ve had some good chats to them about it.’
