Shocking twist emerges in Giants' end-of-season party scandal as pub to face independent hearing

7NEWS

29-07-2025

Greater Western Sydney 's end-of-season party scandal has taken a fresh twist with the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel facing sanctions for an alleged breach.
A probe by local authorities has uncovered vulgar new details by the players' behaviour at the infamous event.
The theme of the party was 'troubled couples', which saw players dress up as controversial figures and act out skits.
Six players were suspended for a combined 14 matches and a further seven fined for a total of $35,000 for the wild night out.
Now, the pub where the party took place is in the firing line and could be stripped of its licence.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, who broke the initial story last year, revealed the Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) are ordering the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel to face an independent hearing for allowing the chaos to unfold on its premises.
'Giants players dressed in the theme of troubled couples peforming skits relating to each pairing, including re-enacting the September 11 attacks and sex acts,' Cleary said.
'Alarming CCTV showed players skolling warm beer and vomiting, as well as simulating masturbation, nudity, fornication with blow-up dolls and players pouring their own alcohol.'
While it was a private function, some acts were seen by patrons, including from the rooftop and verandah, Cleary added.
The hearing is expected to be heard in the coming months, but there will be no further punishment for the players involved.
'The Wooloomoo Bay Hotel, which is owned by prominent Sydney family — The Laundy Hotel Group will be grilled and CCTV is expected to be shown,' Cleary said.
'At worst the pub could be stripped of its licence and staff members removed from the industyr.
'The Giants and AFL won't take this any further and feel the matter is closed.
'It's important to note the Giants' own investigations cleared the players of any illegal activity.
'And NSW Police hasn't been and isn't involved.'
The Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) released a statement confirming their investigation has been completed.
'The investigation considered alleged indecent conduct on the premises and failure by the venue to take reasonable steps to prevent behaviour likely to encourage the misuse and abuse of alcohol,' the statement read.
'L&GNSW determined that the alleged breaches warranted referral to the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority which will now consider two disciplinary complaints.
'L&GNSW is committed to holding licensed venues accountable and reminds operators that serious penalties may apply for breaches of liquor laws, licence conditions or failures in the responsible service of alcohol.'
Last year, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said some of the skits were 'completely unacceptable' and totally at odds with the codes values.
He revealed their investigation found Josh Fahey dressed up as ex-NRL player Jarryd Hayne, who spent time in jail before having rape charges dropped, and Jake Riccardi went as a taxi driver.
'In the course of a skit, Fahey simulated inappropriate acts on a sex doll,' Dillon said at the time.
'Riccardi was not involved in that part of the skit.
'Toby McMullin and Cooper Hamilton simulated the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in costume related to that event.
'Harvey Thomas dressed as a particular professional sportsman and Joe Fonti as a girl acting inappropriately during their skit.
'Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield enacted a scene from the Django Unchained, characterising slavery.'