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Dani Laidley has blasted the AFL, claiming the league has ‘dropped the ball’ on how it educates players around homophobic discrimination, after it was revealed that yet another player is being investigated for a homophobic slur.
It came as 20-year-old Sydney Swans player, Riak Andrew, is facing a sanction for an alleged spray during the Swans’ 11-point VFL victory against North Melbourne on Saturday.
Andrew, who admitted his remorse over the incident, is the fifth player or coach in the past two years who has been called infront of the AFL’s Integrity Unit over a homophobic comment.
‘This just keeps happening and I don’t think enough time has been put into it. The AFL are dropping the ball,’ Laidley, a rainbow advocate, said to The Herald Sun.
‘I know time is scarce at AFL clubs but where does the priority lie? Are we going to keep getting one of these instances once a fortnight?
'Gill organised for me to do a presentation to his executive and also one to Tanya’s team and we talked about doing some work at club level around this topic and since Gill left there has been no follow-up.’
Dani Laidley has claimed the AFL has ‘dropped the ball’ on how it educates players around homophobic discrimination
It came after it was revealed that Sydney Swans youngster Riak Andrew is being investigated for a homophobic comment he made during a VFL match
Laidley blasted the AFL for not taking a more active stance on the subject of homophobic abuse (pictured: AFL CEO Andrew Dillon)
Right now there are no known current gay or bisexual players competing in the AFL. Laidley believed that the league’s approach to education around the subject may be pushing gay and transgender players further away.
The former Kangaroos coach had provided advice to Gillon McLachlan, proposing individual talks with footy clubs on diversity and inclusion.
However, that, according to The Herald Sun, has been shelved. Instead players now complete mandatory online seminars about homophobia.
‘And then I saw a press conference where Tanya Hosch was saying we have done an online training module and I just thought: “Really? You can’t be serious about it if you are doing online training modules”,’ Laidley added, seething over how the AFL are handling the issue.
‘It should be about education, storytelling and life experiences.
‘We have had AFL coaches (with anti-gay slurs) and we have had it at AFL level, and in the VFL and WAFL and in Queensland. The population of the rainbow community within the AFL ranks could be 50 or 60 or 70 men. And it affects them in different ways.’
The AFLPA has also hit out at the league in recent years for its approach to clamping down on homophobia.
AFLPA chief Paul Marsh criticised the AFL for a double standard, following Jeremy Finlayson’s homophobic remarks.
Laidley (left) had previously worked with former AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, proposing education initiatives to increase awareness around the matter, but those were shelved
The Power forward was slapped with a three-match suspension in 2024 for an alleged homophobic remark that was directed to an Essendon player.
Alaistair Clarkson also copped a fine for calling a player a ‘c*** sucker’, while Will Powell and Lance Collard were both also handed suspensions.
‘We believe the AFL is consistently inconsistent and there are double standards in its approach to dealing with players compared to others on behavioural matters,’ AFLPA boss, Marsh, explained.
‘This issue highlights the lack of clarity on how the AFL handles these situations and we want this to be the catalyst for an urgent review of the sanctioning framework.’
Laidley reflected on her own experiences. She recalled how she would feel uncomfortable when she overheard homophobic comments being made as a player.
The 58-year-old made 221 appearances in footy’s top flight, playing for West Perth, West Coast and North Melbourne, notably winning a premiership with the Roos in 1996.
Laidley was appallingly outed in 2020, by a police officer, before she had the chance to share her transition with family and friends.
‘I can go back to when I was involved at AFL and I would hear conversations about who is the gay footballer? I would run for the hills,’ Laidley added.
Laidley enjoyed a glittering career in the AFL, winning a premiership in 1996 with North Melbourne
The former footy player (left) revealed that when she heard homophobic comments in the dressing room, she would feel uncomfortable
‘My anxiety would skyrocket. I would withdraw into my workplace. My mental health would spiral uncontrollably.
‘Any time things like this hit the media I can guarantee you any person in the rainbow community who is playing or coaching at AFL level will have their mental health (concerns) elevated.
‘People say they are only words but those words turn into how a person feels about themselves. I am through it and I am proud of who I am but it is the younger people within the AFL and also the younger supporters of the AFL. They will be thinking I am going to stop playing footy or cricket or any sport because this is what some of my teammates may think of me.’
According to a statement published on the Swan’s website, Riak Andrew has admitted that he ‘understands the language he used is unacceptable.’
The incident is said to have taken place during the Swans’ 11-point win in the VFL against North Melbourne on Friday.
Andrew, 20, who is also the brother of Gold Coast star Mac, explained he was remorseful over the matter, with the AFL’s integrity unit now having launched an investigation.
‘This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously,’ Swns CEO Tom Harley said in a statement.
Andrew said he was remorseful for the comment, with the AFL's Integrity Unit currently investigating the matter
‘While it is disappointing, we recognise that Riak is at the beginning of his career and we will use this as an opportunity to provide support and education, to ensure Riak understands the impact of his words.’
Andrew is now facing the prospect of a punishment, which will likely include a suspension.
It comes as he has spent most of the season on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.
The Swans are meanwhile preparing for their annual Pride Game at the SCG on August 2 against Essendon.
