- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Gold Coast defender Wil Powell has been banned for five matches after using a homophobic slur during the Suns’ loss to Brisbane.
Powell was hit with a ‘conduct unbecoming’ verdict from the AFL, ruling him out at AFL and VFL level until Round 15.
The incident follows Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson’s three-match ban for a homophobic slur during Gather Round, with the league confirming Powell’s ban is greater due to the Power forward’s ban having not proved enough to deter the Sun from similar comments
“It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statemrnt.
“The AFL acknowledges Powell’s remorse and cooperation, and while it has considered the circumstances in which the comment was made, there are no excuses for this conduct in our game.
“We foreshadowed both publicly and privately that after what transpired at Gather Round if a similar incident was to happen there would be further consequence.
“There could be no clearer message – homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society. We want all people in the community to feel welcomed in our game and comments such as Powell’s only takes away from this. As a code, as a community, we all must be better.”
In a statement, Powell expressed his remorse for the slur.
“As soon as the word came out of my mouth, I knew I had made a terrible mistake,” he said.
“I have offered my apology to the Brisbane player and would like to publicly apologise for my comment. I will take full responsibility for what I said.
“I know there is no place for comments of that nature and I will accept the repercussions for my actions. I should have known better and I need to prove this with my actions moving forward.”
Suns CEO Mark Evans added that Powell’s comment was ‘completely unacceptable’, but that the club would work with the young defender to improve himself through education.
A leaked email has revealed North Melbourne CEO Jen Watt has warned rivals about signing disgraced former Kangaroo Tarryn Thomas, saying the club was ‘not able to meaningfully change his behaviour’.
Thomas was sacked by North in February after the AFL issued an 18-match suspension for ‘conduct unbecoming’, after allegations were made that he sent a woman threatening messages following several years of similar claims.
With the league attempting to take a stand against gender-based violence in recent weeks, the prospect of Thomas returning to play at the highest level has proved controversial, with several clubs interested in handing the 24-year old an AFL lifeline and Essendon and former Kangaroos coach Brad Scott publicly saying he is ‘a good person’ worthy of a second chance.
In the email, first reported by Nine, Watt revealed the Kangaroos encountered difficulties in finding suitable ‘behaviour change’ support programs for Thomas after the allegations against him were first made in early 2023, expressing her belief that ‘broad reform’ is needed.
“We were struck by just how hard it was to find programs to support behaviour change. And this was for someone with considerable resources and support around them.,” the email reads.
“We eventually found a combination of programs for Tarryn. Even though Tarryn ended up completing four different programs which included an extensive combination of education, therapy and participation style programs, we were not able to meaningfully change his behaviour.
“I make this point to demonstrate the depth of the problem and the need for broad reform.
“NMFC would support an industry initiative.”
Thomas will need to complete a behavioural change program and prove his reform to the AFL before being permitted back onto a list once his suspension lifts in late July.
Former great Matthew Lloyd is one of a number of AFL identities who have hit back hard at the recent push to introduce premiership rings for extended squad members of a flag-winning side.
It was recently revealed that Collingwood have begun discussions with the league to bring in the new piece of silverware, with their idea that every player who plays a senior men’s or women’s game at the premiership team would be awarded a ring, worth up to $50,000 according to estimations – similar to what is awarded to title-winning teams in American sporting competitions including the NBA.
Currently, only the members of a grand final 23 are awarded a prestigious premiership medal.
However, speaking on Nine’s Footy Classified, Lloyd, who won a premiership with Essendon in 2000, dismissed the suggestion as ‘American rubbish’.
“I love the medallions… everyone still cherishes their medallion, but I don’t know of any player who’s got a ring that ever thought much of it,” Lloyd added.
Fellow former great and four-time Hawthorn premiership player Luke Hodge is of like mind, telling SEN that the league doesn’t need to copy America, and revealing the Hawks did something similar in awarding players rings following the 2008 grand final.
“We are not America. We don’t have to be America,” Hodge said.
“In 2008, we got given a ring from Hawthorn, but it wasn’t quite to the status of what NBA players get. Clearly, it wasn’t a $20,000 or $50,000 ring.
“It sits in the top draw at home, I don’t think I’ve seen any of the players wear it. It is a gold ring with a picture of a hawk on it.”
The Western Bulldogs’ football chief says he has been “blown away” by aggressive and personal attacks on under-fire coach Luke Beveridge.
The Dogs’ general manager of football Matthew Egan is staunchly defending Beveridge as “an incredible coach”, amid mounting scrutiny.
“I have been blown away with how aggressive some of the comments have been in the media about a guy who has been coaching 10 years at the footy club with a grand final win and obviously being in the grand final only three years ago,” Egan told SEN radio on Wednesday.
Luke Beveridge. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“It feels like it has been a little bit aggressive and personal against Bevo.”
The Bulldogs have lost four of their past five matches to slip to 11th spot ahead of Saturday night’s MCG match against struggling Richmond (1-7).
“I go to my experience of working in footy, in the coaching industry, for 16 years,” Egan said.
Support your AFL team in style – check out The Oodie! They’ve got Adult Oodies for all 18 teams as well as Kids Oodies and even Dog Oodies available in selected teams. Made from the softest, premium fabrics they are the comfiest memorabilia you’ll ever wear! #GetYourOodieOn
“And I have never seen a coach connect as well as I have with Bevo and his players.
“His ability to story-tell and create a narrative week to week for the players is amazing.”
Beveridge, who is contracted until the end of next season, and staffers and players met away from their Whitten Oval base on Tuesday after suffering an upset seven-point loss to Hawthorn.
“It’s a long season so you have got to mix up what we do for reviews,” Egan said.
“And this year we have probably changed our reviews a little bit and tried to make it a real learning environment every time you come in for a review.
“Yesterday’s was off-site, which we haven’t done before this year.
“It was probably more of a discussion on our club and where we’re at and some changes we obviously want to make moving forward.
“Yesterday was probably more about getting off-site, a different environment, connecting as a group, having some conversations around what we want it to look like and progress.”
Beveridge’s talented forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has rejected rival interest and signed a two-year contract extension.
The 22-year-old was to have fallen off-contract at the end of this season, but has recommitted until the end of 2026.
Ugle-Hagan, the No.1 pick at the 2020 draft, was tied to the Dogs via the Next Generation academy.
“The Western Bulldogs have looked after me since I was 15-years-old … ever since then, I have just fallen in love with the club and it just feels like I’m at home,” he said.
© AAP
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Was Toby Pink lucky to be awarded this goal?
Once an enemy of the Bombers, always an enemy of the Bombers!
Apart from one five-goal game, GWS forward Toby Greene has only kicked six goals from the other eight games. He's traditionally had success against the Western Bulldogs.
Bayley Fritsch should become an even more important player from a structural perspective, given key forward Jacob van Rooyen will be unavailable due to concussion.
For the last few weeks, there has been a rumbling in the air around Victoria. Everyone has sensed it, but most have been able…
