AFL world reacts to eye-opening Wil Powell ban in wake of Jeremy Finlayson incident

The AFL has backed up its warning to players about the use of homophobic slurs by slapping Gold Coast star Wil Powell with a five-match ban, in the wake of an incident against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday night. Powell admitted to using the derogatory language towards a Lions player during the QClash at the Gabba, with the AFL cracking down harder on him in the wake of a similarly ugly incident involving Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson.

Finlayson was banned for three games and made to undergo a Pride in Sport education course at his own cost after using a homophobic slur against Essendon during Gather Round. But AFL officials warned that future transgressions could lead to even heavier sanctions for players guilty of using such unacceptable language.

Powell was questioned as part of an Integrity Unit investigation and admitted using the homophobic slur against Brisbane in Sunday's game. And in handing down its suspension on Thursday, the AFL confirmed his lengthier ban came down to the close 'proximity' of the incident to the Finlayson case in round four. “It is extremely disappointing to be dealing with a similar incident in only a matter of weeks,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said on Thursday.

“The AFL acknowledges Powell’s remorse and cooperation, 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.

RELATED:

• Ben Cousins responds to brutal AFL snub amid Hall of Fame debate

• Scott Pendlebury act sparks uproar as Nick Daicos steals show for Pies

• Wayne Carey cops last-minute legend rejection amid AFL intervention

“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.”

Powell will miss Saturday night's match against North Melbourne in Darwin and the five-game ban rules him out until round 14 when the Gold Coast have a bye, meaning he won't return until round 15 for the Suns against Fremantle. Gold Coast have confirmed Powell will undergo an education program during his suspension, with the remorseful star owning up to his mistake in a recorded video statement shared by the club.

Remorseful Wil Powell apologises for homophobic slur

"As soon as the word came out of my mouth, I knew I had made a terrible mistake," Powell said. "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."

As part of its crackdown, the AFL has warned the next player found guilty of using a homophobic slur could be slapped with an even harsher penalty. “The AFL will continue to consider the specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses and does not consider that it is bound by the level of sanctions that it has previously imposed for similar incidents,” the league said.

“In this instance, it was appropriate to increase the sanction for such conduct 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." Fans took to social media on Thursday afternoon in reaction to the five-game ban, with most praising the AFL's stance but many criticising the length of the suspension.

AFL fans offer mixed reactions to Wil Powell ban

with AAP