Will Powell: Footy star's homophobic slur is revealed as fans are left bitterly divided by the AFL's huge ban

Will Powell reportedly used the same homophobic slur that saw Jeremy Finlayson cop a three-game ban.

Gold Coast defender Powell will miss the next five matches after being hit with a lengthy suspension from the AFL following his vile act during the Suns' defeat by Brisbane over the weekend.

According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Powell aimed the word 'f****t' at a rival player.

Port Adelaide's Finlayson used the same word during the Powers' match against Essendon earlier this season, but copped a less severe three-match ban.

Powell said he wishes to regain the trust of his teammates and everybody at the Suns following his behaviour.

'Even before the Finlayson (comments) it was known it's not to be tolerated,' he said.

'I've now got to educate myself on how to be better … in the situation. I'll learn from this and I sincerely apologise and I am very regretful for what I said.

'I've apologised to the staff upstairs and I asked if they could forgive me for what I've said.

'I think it's just time that will heal this and making genuine relationships with people upstairs. It'll take time but hopefully I've been forgiven and I can start to repair what I've said.'

Some fans, though, have pointed out the discrepancies between Powell and Finlayson's sanctions, despite the fact the two players used the same word.  

'What's the difference between Powell's conduct and Finlayson's, apart from Powell being more damaging to the AFL's brand because it establishes a pattern of more widespread behaviour?' one fan said on X.

'Absolutely laughable that Powell could get an extra two weeks for the exact same thing.'

Another fan said: 'Why is there different penalties each time?? Is the next going to be 7/8 wks? What about the 4th time will that be 10 wks? 

'It's consistency of the punishment which most people don't understand. Surely you can see that....why are QATAR airways a major sponsor of the swans...'

A third fan said: 'No one is saying he didn’t deserve weeks. Precedent was set with finlayson 3 weeks. As afl fans were just sick of inconsistencies that’s all.' 

But the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph believes the AFL must adopt a tough stance on homophobia. 

'I am so happy to argue the toss on so many football matters,' he said. 

'Not sure what to say though if you don't think uttering a horrific gay slur to your opponent doesn't deserve a multiple week suspension. Not with so many people looking up to footballers as community role models.'