AFL world slams David Koch for 'ludicrous' take on Jeremy Finlayson's homophobic slur

Port Adelaide president David Koch has come under fire for defending Jeremy Finlayson. The Power forward admitted to using a homophobic slur towards an Essendon player in Friday's match at Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide issued a statement on Saturday night confirming that a remorseful Finlayson informed the club at three-quarter time of the incident "and apologised to the victim on the field after the final siren". The AFL stated on Saturday they are investigating the matter. "We are taking this matter extremely seriously," an AFL spokesperson said. "AFLIU (AFL integrity unit) are now investigating and we will provide an update once that investigation is completed."

In the aftermath of the incident, Koch appeared on ABC's Offsiders to discuss the matter alongside host Kelli Underwood, journalist Caroline Wilson and AFL boss Laura Kane. While initially saying he wouldn't be making excuses for Finalyson's actions, in the same breath Koch did just that.

"There’s no excuse for it. Jeremy was incredibly remorseful, actually told the coaches at three-quarter time that it was inexcusable, went and apologised to the player after the game," Koch said. "That’s no excuse whatsoever. It’s in the heat of the battle, should not have done it and we’ll wait for the AFL to go through its process."

David Koch believes Jeremy Finlayson incident nothing like that of Taylor Walker's

When the panel was asked by Underwood and Wilson if Finlayson is facing a similar ban to that of Taylor Walker - who was slapped with a six-week suspension for a racial slur directed towards SANFL player Robbie Young - Kane chose not to comment. However, Koch didn't play with such a straight bat, saying the ban should be more similar to that of what was given to North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.

Clarkson was handed a two-game ban suspended until the end of the 2025 season, for an "inappropriate" outburst towards St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard. Clarkson became enraged following Webster's bump that concussed Jy Simpkin during a pre-season hit out. And Koch says while Clarkson's actions were "premeditated" and "targeted" towards a particular individual, Finlayson's was "very different" and "in the heat of battle".

"Not ruling it out (an internal investigation), but, umm, you know, if you look at comparisons and benchmarks that have been set," Koch said. "With a 55-year-old coach premeditated, target the player, walk up to them is very different to a player in the heat of battle when there was a lot of niggle in the game, the pressure again - absolutely no excuse, not condoning it whatever, and should not be part of the game, but if you’re going to look at a comparison, that would be the benchmark there."

Underwood asked Koch if it is in the same category as Walker's racial slur, to which the club president replied: "I don’t think that’s realistic." Instead he likened it more similarly to that of Clarkson, stating again: "The benchmark has been set".

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David Koch's comments downplaying Jeremy Finlayson slammed online

The comments from the former Sunrise presenter turned club president did not go down well online, with AFL fans and pundits calling out Koch for trying to justify the slur. Columnist Greg Jericho wrote: "This is pretty disgusting from Koch". While others took aim at the Port president for "benchmarking abuse" and said his take is "beyond disappointing".

Finlayson provided a statement on Sunday which read: "I take full responsibility for what happened Friday night. 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."