Sydney defender Riak Andrew has been hit with a five-match suspension after being cited for using a homophobic slur while representing the AFL club’s reserves team.
First-year player Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast star Mac Andrew, used the slur during the Swans’ VFL clash with North Melbourne on Saturday.
On Wednesday evening, the AFL imposed a five-match suspension – one more than the four-game ban handed to West Coast’s Jack Graham for his own slur a week ago.
Andrew will also be required to undertake a Pride in Sport education course.
“It is important that we continue to make clear that homophobia or homophobic language has no place in our game at any level or in the wider community for that matter,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement.
Andrew has released a statement via the Swans expressing his regret.
“I am deeply sorry for the word that I used in Saturday’s game and any hurt that it has caused,” the statement reads.
“While I did not understand the full impact of the words I used at the time, I certainly do now, and have deep regret for my actions.
“This has impacted not only our club but the broader community, and for that I am truly sorry. I am committed to using this as an opportunity to learn and get better.”
In a statement, Sydney said a remorseful Andrew understands the language he used is unacceptable and takes full responsibility for his actions.
Swans chief executive Tom Harley said the club are extremely disappointed in the 20-year-old’s actions.
“This behaviour does not reflect the values of our club, and we take this matter very seriously,” Harley said.
“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’s slur comes as Sydney prepare to hold their annual celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities, when they host Essendon at the SCG on August 2.
“In a fortnight we will be playing in the Pride Game, a match that is incredibly important to our club,” Harley said.
“We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.”
Andrew was taken with pick No.55 in last year’s draft and is yet to make his AFL debut.
Earlier this month, West Coast midfielder Jack Graham was found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur during his side’s loss to GWS.
Riak Andrew. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Another three AFL players were suspended for using homophobic slurs last season.
Gold Coast defender Wil Powell (five matches) and Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson (three) served bans over incidents in AFL matches.
St Kilda’s Lance Collard served a six-match penalty for “unprompted and highly offensive” slurs towards two Williamstown players in a VFL game.
Former greats agree Moore lucky to escape sanction for ‘non-football act’
Triple premiership Richmond star Jack Riewoldt has slammed the Match Review Officer’s decision not to sanction Darcy Moore for the use of the knees on Fremantle’s Josh Treacy.
Late in the Magpies’ one-point thriller at the MCG, Moore fell into the back of the Docker after he had taken a mark.
The umpire paid a 50m penalty against the Magpie but Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph explained during Fox Footy’s On The Couch show that: “The MRO judged that Treacy dived forward, Moore dived after him, it wasn’t sufficiently ‘careless’ for a fine.”
But Riewoldt disagreed, saying the act was worthy of a ban.
“I reckon he’s lucky. I reckon that’s a suspension,” Riewoldt said.
“That is a knee into the kidneys of a player – a vulnerable player who’s on the ground. Surely that’s late, isn’t it?”
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley also thought there should have been some punishment coming to the Collingwood captain.
“I think he’s lucky. I thought it was sloppy… I think it could’ve got a week,” Buckley said.
“I can understand why it wasn’t cited, but I think he (Moore) would be wiping the brow.”
Nick Dal Santo told Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight that his actions have no place on a football field.
“I think that’s worthy of a fine. It was worthy of a 50m penalty at a minimum,” Dal Santo said.
“You look at those acts … it’s not a football act. There’s other accidents that happen in the game, but that’s not one of them.
Garry Lyon was also surprised Moore avoided a sanction.
“This is not a good look for the Collingwood captain, I’m sorry,” Lyon told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“I’m surprised he wasn’t given a fine, to be perfectly honest, dropping double knees into the back of (Treacy). There was no reason to drop his knees into the back of as player when he’s in that situation.
“I don’t think Darcy would be too proud of that when he looks back at that. It would’ve only been a fine, I’m not suggesting a suspension.”
Harley Reid set to make history after contract proposal tabled
West Coast rising star Harley Reid is on track receive “the biggest deal in AFL history”, after his management have reportedly tabled a new contract proposal for the Eagles to consider.
The 2023 No.1 draft pick has played 38 games for the Eagles since debuting in 2024 and is contracted until the end of 2026. But his next move has him as the game’s hottest property.
AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey appeared on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified reporting that the Eagles have had a contract offer on the table since April, but Reid’s management have responded with a bigger counter offer that has him on the verge of history.
“It’s a mammoth offer that would be a two-year extension plus an extension on top of that of another nine years so an 11-year arrangement,” Twomey said.
Harley Reid celebrates a goal. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“This is ground-breaking in what it would mean for the West Coast Eagles and Harley Reid… it would be the biggest deal in AFL history.”
If Reid does come to an agreement with his current club, he will be in the blue and gold until 2037.
But plenty of other clubs would like to lure him away – if they can afford the monster price tag.
“Hawthorn are near on obsessed with Harley Reid and getting him to the club, they want him badly,” Twomey said.
“They are willing to go to eight-to-10 years at $1.7 million or $1.8 million to get him across the line.”
– with AAP
