Tom Green has vowed GWS will regroup from their AFL finals flop and post-season function scandal, describing their off-season as a “line-in-the-sand moment”.
Green was one of the Giants punished in October for their roles in a players’ end-of-season function that involved sexist skits and inappropriate costumes.
Fringe player Josh Fahey was banned for four matches, while Jake Riccardi was among teammates who will miss two games after a joint investigation with the AFL into the September event.
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They were suspended for taking part in skits relating to the “controversial couples” theme of the dress-up function, with Fahey simulating inappropriate acts on a sex doll.
Green, making his pre-season return on Monday, denounced the post-season function incident.
“Not good enough,” he said.
“There’s guys who, going into the next season, are going to miss games.
“It was a real error of judgment on all of our behalf and it’s been a real learning curve.
“On and off the field, it’s been an off-season where we had to learn a lot and had to get a lot better.”
Joe Fonti, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas and delisted winger Cooper Hamilton were also banned for two matches.
Green, captain Toby Greene and fellow senior players Lachie Whitfield, Connor Idun, Sam Taylor and now-Collingwood player Harry Perryman were fined $5000 each.
“Just as a leader … inclusive of on the field but also off the field, I’m meant to be setting the example in being a role model,” Green said.
“In that moment, I failed to do so.
“It’s been an off-season of reflection and we’ve got to get a lot better.”
GWS are also dealing with the lingering heartbreak of crashing out of finals.
After coughing up a 28-point lead to lose by six points to Sydney in a qualifying final, the Giants fumbled a 44-point lead to lose by five points to eventual premiers Brisbane in a home semi-final.
Green dismissed suggestions the post-season function was linked to their September performance.
“I don’t think the stuff that happened on that Wednesday really (has) any correlation to what happened on the field,” Green said.
“If anything, it’s probably more important that we get that right because that stuff just isn’t acceptable.
“In both respects, that is something that is a line-in-the-sand moment in terms of ‘right, that’s nowhere near good enough on and off the field’.
“The season ended really poorly from our point of view.
“There’s a whole lot of work for us to do, for us to be able to go to that next step and go where we think we’re good enough to go.
“Over the last couple years, we’ve just fallen short and it shows that we’re not good enough.”
The Giants will reunite with Perryman when they start off their 2025 season in the opening round against Collingwood at Engie Stadium on March 9.
