Greater Western Sydney have been handed a $20,00 fine for the on-field incident between football boss Jason McCartney and Sydney player Tom Papley.
McCartney made contact with Papley at quarter-time when an all-in melee ensued between the teams in the Giants' qualifying final.
Sydney went on to defeat their rivals by six points after a fourth-quarter fightback, forcing GWS into a sudden-death semi-final against Brisbane.
Finding McCartney guilty of conduct unbecoming, the AFL handed down the sanction on Tuesday.
“Jason admitted his conduct on the weekend was unacceptable and that it falls well below what is expected by the AFL and the Giants,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said in a statement.
“Opposition officials and players engaging each other on the field of play is something we don’t want to see and we are grateful that things didn’t escalate further on Saturday.”
A "remorseful" McCartney issued an apology.
“I’d like to apologise for the part I played in an incident during the quarter-time break of Saturday’s game," McCartney said in a club statement.
"My intention was to shepherd some of our younger players to our team huddle.
“However, I understand that I should not have put myself in a position to have any interaction with an opposition player and I unreservedly apologise for my actions.”
Giants chief David Matthews reiterated the club's support to McCartney.
“Jason has accepted responsibility for his role in the incident, understands the ramifications of his actions and is very remorseful," Matthews said in a statement.
“A respected and highly regarded member of our industry, he has our full support in the important role he plays at our club.”
McCartney was handed a $20,000 fine in April 2021 for a mid-match tirade at the umpires during their loss to the Western Bulldogs, where he reportedly swore during the exchange.
