'Deeply hurt' AFLW players take aim at GWS Giants clubmates after Wacky Wednesday scandal

Greater Western Sydney's AFLW players have spoken out against the behaviour of some of the club's male players following a highly controversial end-of-season party.

The AFL on Thursday hit 14 players with various punishments over the Wacky Wednesday function which drew a formal complaint about their behaviour.

Players were punished for dressing up and performing inappropriate skits, including references to former NRL player Jarryd Hayne's rape conviction, and American music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs who is being investigated for sex trafficking and assault, among other crimes.

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The GWS team reportedly underwent a workshop earlier this year about gendered violence and respect for women.

In May the AFL also paid tribute to women killed by domestic violence by holding a minute's silence at the start of every game.

Giants' AFLW captain Rebecca Beeson issued a statement on Thursday on behalf of the playing group following their male clubmates being penalised.

"It is important that we make it known that we are deeply hurt and angered when learning of the behaviour that occurred," Beeson said.

"Playing the game we love gives us a platform to speak to the community, fans and young people.

"As the AFLW playing group, we feel it is of great importance to stress that the behaviour that included references to gender-based violence is completely unacceptable under any circumstances.

"The values of respect, diversity and inclusion are as important off the field as they are on it.

"We look forward to the AFL playing group learning from this incident and as a club, we are united in ensuring everyone feels safe within our game."

Richmond's AFLW star Monique Conti said the AFL players should have good enough judgement to know when something is inappropriate.

"You're mature enough to know what's right and what's wrong at the end of the day," Conti told Nine's AFLW Weekly podcast.

"There is probably an expectation from everyone to know what is appropriate and what's not appropriate."

AFL boss Andrew Dillon condemned the GWS players' behaviour on Thursday.

"Some of the skits were completely unacceptable and at odds with the code's values ... there is nothing funny or clever about these actions," he said.

"We are also very disappointed that the leaders stopped the behaviour. I'd like to pay credit to whoever it was that made the complaint. We are not prepared to walk past these behaviours and that is why consequences have been applied.

"What transpired at the function is not acceptable … the sanctions that have been applied demonstrate that. Respect is not an option, it is a non-negotiable."