Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson 'cut deeply' over his homophobic slur that resulted in three-match AFL ban
Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson has been “cut deeply” after making a homophobic slur that resulted in a three-game AFL suspension, his coach Ken Hinkley says.
Finlayson was banned for a slur directed at an Essendon opponent in last Saturday night’s game at Adelaide Oval.
“The reality was, as has been well reported, Jeremy knew straightaway he had made a mistake,” Hinkley told reporters on Friday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“And he’s the sort of person who ... that would cut deeply for him. He doesn’t want to be that person.”
A remorseful Finlayson informed club officials of the incident at three-quarter-time of Saturday’s match, and apologised to the Essendon player post-game.
Hinkley said the 28-year-old had shown “his ownership of the whole situation right from the very start”.
“He knew he made the mistake immediately and he handled it very well,” the coach said.
“(I am) someways proud of the way he was able to handle it and deal with the situation, as difficult as it was for everyone involved.
“It’s an opportunity for us to all understand and learn still - and there’s still more to be learnt in those areas of our game, that we don’t need to go to those places.”
Finlayson will miss Saturday night’s match against Fremantle and following games against Collingwood and St Kilda after being suspended by the AFL’s integrity unit.
The former Greater Western Sydney player will also have to pay for and undertake a Pride in Sport education program.
“Jeremy, he’s fine, he’s OK. He’s moving on with what he needs to move on with,” Hinkley said.
“He understands exactly what’s gone on this week and understands the mistakes that went with that.
“And he’s handled it, I think, in the best possible way he could, knowing that he made the mistake.”
Hinkley said slurs such as the one made by Finlayson were “not commonplace” in the modern game.
“Our people, and everyone who plays the game today, are much better educated in all places - not just in that spot but in all places, to know what’s acceptable and what’s not,” he said.
