By Andrew Wu, Marnie Vinall and Michael Gleeson
Gold Coast’s Wil Powell used homophobic language online before abusing a Brisbane opponent last Sunday, as prominent gay rights advocate Ian Roberts called for the AFL to invest more into anti-vilification education.
Powell, 24, was on Thursday handed a five-match ban by the AFL for using the same homophobic slur as previously suspended Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson during the QClash against the Lions. The incident comes a month after Finlayson vilified an Essendon opponent and was rubbed out for three games.
Banned: Wil Powell.Credit: AFL Photos
Powell was publicly rebuked by his club, teammates and the AFL Players Association for what the AFL described as a “highly offensive homophobic slur”.
Powell called a Lions player a “f-----”, according to two sources familiar with the incident, who were not authorised to speak publicly. The Lions player instinctively turned to an umpire to enquire if he had heard the remark, the sources said.
This masthead has obtained screenshots of Powell commenting using homophobic language on a former fringe player’s Instagram photos. The relationship between Powell and the player is not clear, and whether the comments were made in jest.
The comments were made about three years ago, where Powell has commented “probably lost cos gay”, “you can’t surf gay”, “gay” and “pink looks good on you” under a series of images.
The Suns told this masthead that they wouldn’t be making an official comment on the social media posts, but that the language used by Powell would form the cornerstone of his education moving forward.
The AFL would not comment on the posts.
Roberts, the first rugby league player in the world to come out as gay, said the fact there had been two such cases in a month was evidence the AFL needed better messaging with players.
“Education at a young age is the greatest sword and shield in dealing with stuff like this,” Roberts told this masthead.
“With grown men, the battle is over. Grassroots stuff is what’s important. The AFL and the major codes should be investing in grassroots education if they really want to sort this out. That’s where it has to start – education, education, education.”
One of the screenshots from Wil Powell’s social media account.
Roberts said the term “f-----” was the most “demeaning” remark a person could make to a gay man.
“It never crosses my mind to call someone a ‘f-----’,” Roberts said. “When people say that word, they don’t just say it, they spit it.
“It’s the pinnacle of insults. You’re trying to demoralise someone. It diminishes a person that you are nothing, I’m going to rub you out under my foot.”
Roberts said it was important to call out such behaviour as it had potentially “catastrophic” consequences.
“It’s bigger than the incident. What I mean by that, I can promise you this, there’ll be a kid in the suburbs in the regional areas who might not have heard a lot of stories in the recent weeks, but they’ve definitely heard that story,” said Roberts, who works at the LGBTQIA+ museum Qtopia in Sydney.
“If they’re struggling with their sexuality and identity, and they don’t understand what they’re going through, that validates all the fear they feel.
“I’m there [at Qtopia] because I believe in education, education, education to move this along and the catastrophic consequences on what discrimination can look do to people and what it looks like and how it can play out.”
Powell is the third player or coach to be sanctioned this season for offensive comments. Finlayson has recently completed a three-match suspension.
Apart from Finlayson, North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson was fined $20,000 and given a two-match ban – suspended for two years – after labelling St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster a “c---------” in an angry outburst during a practice match in March.
This masthead has obtained screenshots of some of Powell’s previous social media posts.
Webster had concussed senior Kangaroos midfielder Jy Simpkin with a shirtfront, and was later rubbed out for seven matches.
“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 statement on Thursday.
“The AFL acknowledges Powell’s remorse and co-operation, 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.”
The league said it would continue to consider the specific circumstances of each incident when determining any sanction in the future.
It said an increase on the three-match penalty given to Finlayson was appropriate “to reflect the AFL’s deep concern about this repeat in close proximity to the last occurrence and in order to further deter such conduct in the future”.
The AFLPA, which criticised the AFL for slapping Finlayson with a suspension after giving Clarkson a fine, said while it was disappointed with Powell’s homophobic language, it called on the league to implement a framework for more consistent penalties for such offences.
“Wil’s words are hurtful, offensive and don’t belong on or off the football field, and we acknowledge the impact these situations cause the LGBTIQA+ community,” AFLPA chief Paul Marsh said.
“I have personally spoken to Wil and he is extremely remorseful. He will use this as an opportunity to educate himself and, as he said today, ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“I have also spoken to Brisbane players who have accepted Wil’s apology.
A screenshot of one of Powell’s posts.
“Given the AFL’s recent public position, we are not surprised by the size of this sanction, but we continue to believe the industry needs a formalised and consistent sanctioning framework. We have begun constructive discussions with the AFL about this.”
Powell apologised publicly on the club’s social media account and also in a doorstop interview, though did not directly address the gay community, referring to “appropriate groups”. Powell was not wearing the club’s polo in these appearances.
“On Sunday night, there was a heated confrontation between myself and a Brisbane Lions player where I slipped [and said] a homophobic word on accident,” Powell said on the Suns’ account on social media platform X .
“I sincerely regret what I said that night and as soon as I said it I was remorseful. I’ve apologised to the Brisbane Lions player multiple times during the night and after the game via text. I’m extremely sorry for what I’ve said. It won’t ever happen again.
“I’d like to apologise to everyone that this may affect, and the word that I used being a homophobic slur, or the appropriate groups it may affect and all the people surrounding those groups. I hope that you take my apology sincerely as it’s coming from the heart and I’m very hurt by saying this.
“I extremely regret what I said and I’m extremely apologetic.”
Gold Coast said Powell made club officials aware of his comment during the game and apologised to the Lions player during and immediately after the game, and again in the hours after the match.
“As soon as the word came out of my mouth, I knew I had made a terrible mistake,” Powell said in a Suns statement.
“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 chief executive Mark Evans said the club condemned Powell’s remark but would work with him as he aimed to redeem himself.
“Wil’s comment was completely unacceptable, and in no way reflects what we stand for as a football club,” Evans said.
“We have spoken to Wil to ensure he understands the severity of his comment and the effect comments like these can have on others. He has committed to work hard to educate and better himself and he will have the club’s support to make those improvements.”
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