Jeremy Finlayson says he is “p***ed off” he was suspended for three matches by the AFL for using a homophobic slur towards an Essendon player during Gather Round two weeks ago.
The Port Adelaide forward self-reported the inappropriate and deeply hurtful language he used during the game, and effectively submitted himself to the AFL’s will thereafter.
He released a statement in the days after the incident expressing his remorse and regret, which was a considered factor in the AFL’s decision to limit his suspension to just three games.
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“I take full responsibility for what happened Friday night,” Finlayson said.
“The word I used is very unacceptable in the game of football. We need to stamp it out and I’m very remorseful.
“I knew straight away that it was not acceptable and I take full responsibility.
“I addressed it at the time and let everyone know what happened, and it’s now in the hands of the AFL to investigate.
“I’m continuing to reflect and improve myself, getting all the education I can to make myself better.”
After receiving the ban, he later said: “I accept the AFL’s sanction and now look forward to reflecting on my behavior and seeking education to improve myself and understand the impact such comments can have on the broader community.”
But comments he made speaking on wife Kellie’s podcast, S*** Talkers, which was recorded on Tuesday and released on Wednesday, are at odds with the official line he towed via Port Adelaide’s website just over a week ago.
As a guest host on the show with his wife, Finlayson took part in a segment called “the good, the bad, the offensive”, where he was asked to share something that resonated with him for each category in recent days.
“My ‘good’ is having you and Soph (their daughter) back,” Jeremy said to Kellie on the podcast.
“You made a trip up to Sydney for a couple of days, which was hard, so it’s good to have you two back.
“My ‘bad’ would have to be — not about me — it would have to be what happened in Bondi, what happened in the church. So, that’s probably my ‘bad’.
“My ‘offensive’ is: it p***ed me off that I got a three-week suspension. That’s it, that’s tipped me over the edge. That’s about it — we’ll leave it there and move on.”
The AFL explicitly said that without the full and frank admissions, apologies and contrition that Finlayson showed, the sanction would have included a longer suspension.
“Everyone, including Jeremy understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said when the ban was announced last week
“The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in society. We want all people in LGBTQI+ communities to feel safe playing or attending our games and we know the incident that happened on the weekend does not assist this goal.
“As a code we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all.
“The AFL will continue to consider the specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses. Jeremy’s sanction would have been higher if he didn’t immediately understand and take ownership of his mistake both privately and publicly.”
Finlayson apologised again for the comment and the “distress” he has caused.
“The word I used has no place in our society or our game,” Finlayson said after copping the ban, but well before the podcast.
“Words can be very hurtful and what I said on Friday night was totally unacceptable.
“I unreservedly apologise again to the Essendon player, my teammates, Port Adelaide members and supporters and the LGBTQIA+ community for the distress I have caused.”
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