‘I haven’t finished yet’: Panellists debate Jack Graham ban amid AFLPA’s ‘code of conduct’ push

Sections of the AFL industry remain puzzled over the ban handed to West Coast’s Jack Graham, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph, as the AFL Players’ Association reiterated its desire for a player code of conduct review.

It comes as West Coast coach Andrew McQualter broke down the chain of events that led to the AFL handing Graham a four-match suspension for using an offensive homophobic slur against a Giants player during the Eagles’ Round 17 loss to the Giants.

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The Eagles on Sunday morning confirmed Graham’s suspension – nine days after the incident – with the 27-year-old withdrawn from the side that suffered a fighting 26-point loss to Port Adelaide.

The AFL, in a statement, said the incident was self-reported by Graham to the Eagles, who reported it to the league on Friday last week, subsequently sparking an investigation by the AFL Integrity Unit.

“I was made aware post-game of what Jack had said. Spoke to Jack, who was incredibly remorseful as you’d expect … and we made the Giants aware straight away,” McQualter told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night.

AFL bans Graham for homophobic slur | 01:04

Asked if he thought, at that point, the matter had been resolved by the two clubs, Giants coach Adam Kingsley told AFL 360: “Probably not. I think the process that unfolded was to wait for an official report to be made by the umpire or any matchday official. When that wasn’t lodged, I think the appropriate course of action was taken. The AFL were alerted and then the process unfolded from that moment from our perspective.

“We were satisfied with the process and the outcome. Jack reached out to both myself and the player involved and apologised, so that was good of Jack and the West Coast Eagles, very much appreciated.

“We all know there’s no place for that in our game. People make mistakes and it’s important to educate and forgive – and that’s what’s happening in this process.”

Asked if the matter had been appropriately dealt with by the AFL, McQualter said: “Jack and the club, we accepted the sanction that was handed down to Jack. He’ll miss a month of footy.”

Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch less than an hour later, Ralph said the Eagles would’ve likely hoped for a lesser penalty, considering Graham voluntarily came forward about his remark.

“No one seems to be happy across the whole league about the four-week ban,” Ralph told On The Couch.

“The fans are wondering why Willie Rioli got only a one-week ban for his inflammatory and violent language against an opponent online.

McQualter comments on Graham slur | 08:28

“The Eagles might’ve hoped for a greater discount given that Jack did self-report it. I think the AFL would be asking the question: ‘Why did it take a full week for you to come forward with the news of that homophobic language?’”

Three players last season were handed suspensions for using homophobic slurs, with the bans all varying in length: Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson (three matches), Gold Coast defender Wil Powell (five) and St Kilda forward Lance Collard (six).

While AFL Players’ Association interim chief executive Ben Smith said homophobic language was “hurtful, unacceptable and has no place in our game or the broader community”, he reiterated his union’s determination to work towards a code of conduct framework.

“We continue to meet with the AFL to design a framework which the players and the industry will have confidence in, provides due process, and will help drive any needed behavioural change,” Smith said.

Ralph pointed out that a review of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was for the AFL and AFLPA, as per the CBA, to “review and agree on a revised Code of Conduct within 12 months of execution of this Agreement”.

Jack Graham of the Eagles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

“Jeremy Finlayson in April last year got a three-week ban for his homophobic language,” Ralph said. “Four weeks later, Wil Powell got five weeks because the AFL felt like they’d already put a shot across everyone’s bows. Then Lance Collard got six weeks because of repeated infractions against multiple opponents in the VFL.

“And now Graham gets four because he self-reported to the AFL. It’s an absolute dog’s breakfast.

“It’s why the AFLPA is really keen on a code of conduct. They think it would be a consistent framework in regards to discipline.

“So if it’s GWS and Wacky Wednesday, whether it’s some of those players like Bailey Smith with his (past) dramas of conduct unbecoming, or if it is for homophobic language, we’d get due process, we’d get players to see what they’re alleged to have been charged with and we’d potentially see what the AFL wants, which is consistency.

“It’s in the CBA, it’s supposed to have been brought in by September last year – it hasn’t happened yet, the AFL is dragging their feet.”

Graham’s ban led to a debate between triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt and legendary football journalist Mike Sheahan on Fox Footy’s On The Couch.

Jack Riewoldt and Mike Sheahan. Source: FOX SPORTS

Mike Sheahan: “This won’t make me anymore popular, but I was staggered. When I read that he’d got four weeks … I mean, let’s say it was Toby Greene, right, and he called him the f-word … I think it’s been blown out of proportion, not because …

Jack Riewoldt: I don’t know about that. I think four weeks is the right amount …

MS: I haven’t finished yet …

JR: … but I think consistency, Mike …

MS: Yeah, we’re agreed on that. But it’s the carrot and the stick, I’m not sure hitting them over the head with the stick with four weeks, five weeks, six weeks – whatever it is – is the right way to handle it.

JR: How would you handle it then?

MS: I think it’s an education thing.

JR: But that comes along with the suspension as well, though.

MS: Notionally, but we’re only interested in the immediate impact, aren’t we? That he’s got four weeks. I think you just say: ‘This is embarrassing, Jack was embarrassed about it, he rang Player X’ … it becomes we educate people rather than just hit them over the head with the stick.

Jack Graham of the Eagles. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

McQualter said Graham was a good person who made a bad mistake, adding it wouldn’t hinder any captaincy aspirations he had.

“Jack made a really bad error, but I don’t think we should judge a person just on one mistake,” McQualter said.

“He’s a terrific leader and it was an out of character error – and he’ll cop a severe punishment for it.

“Hopefully he’s part of the solution going forward to continue to educate others.”

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