- GWS has described the allegations as ‘disturbing’
- Incident took place at club’s end-of-season function
Dane Swan has claimed that an individual who made a complaint against multiple GWS Giants players following their ‘Wacky Wednesday’ party ‘deserves jail time’.
On Tuesday, it emerged that the AFL and the Giants were investigating a complaint surrounding the club’s end-of-season ‘Wacky Wednesday’ function.
The fancy dress party had reportedly been based on the theme ‘troubled couples’, with claims surfacing that some of the players at the event dressed up as former NRL star Jarryd Hayne and Australian NBA player Josh Giddey, who both faced serious allegations about their behaviour with women before being exonerated.
Other costumes reportedly included players dressing as the World Trade Centre towers.
Hayne recently made his return to rugby league after the ex-Parramatta Eels star was released from jail after his rape conviction was quashed.
Giddey was cleared of any wrongdoing by police after he was falsely accused of having an improper relationship with an underage girl.
The GWS function was held in a private room at a pub, with some players being alleged to have performed ‘unsavoury skits’.
One skit reportedly involved a blow-up doll, while one player is alleged to have made a reference to disgraced rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
There is no accusation that any of the alleged behaviour was criminal.
The AFL and the Giants have been conducting an investigation into the matter, with the club’s internal probe initially clearing the players of any illegal activity.
But the Giants have since released a statement and described the allegations as ‘distressing’ and ‘entirely contrary to the club’s values’.
While the players involved have not been officially named, Nine News claimed ‘up to six stars who were allegedly involved in the skits have been hit with penalties’.
Former AFL star Swan took to social media to express his views on the incident.
‘You have to kind of hope these GWS boys have sacrificed a live goat or something at this pub cause these punishments are ridiculous for what is being told right now,’ Swan, who retired in 2016, wrote on X.
‘Also the bartender who ratted them deserves jail time. All-time disgusting thing to do at a private event,’ he added.
GWS captain Toby Greene is allegedly facing a $20,000 fine. While it is understood the skipper was not directly involved in the skits, it’s claimed that the fine relates to ‘not showing adequate leadership’.
It’s also been claimed that Greene had dressed up as Australian Olympic star Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted GWS, Greene and Gunn’s representatives for comment.
It is understood that the names of those facing bans will become public in the coming days, with players currently making representations to the AFL over potential sanctions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GWS said: ‘The Giants confirmed yesterday the club is aware of allegations of inappropriate behaviour at the players’ end-of-season event last month.
‘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.’
