Five Sydney Swans players have been stood down for the remainder of the season following a Victoria Police sexual assault investigation centered on the Pullman East Melbourne hotel. The players—Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, and James Jordon—were disciplined after an incident following the team’s round 23 win over Essendon at the MCG.
Five Sydney Swans Players Suspended Following Police Investigation
Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad are investigating a report of sexual assault stemming from the early hours of a Monday morning. According to legal representatives, three women were engaged by the players and their friends during a night of partying. Law firm Slater and Gordon, representing at least one of the women, stated that their client reported multiple incidents of sexual assault to police, alleging that sexual acts occurred beyond what the women were paid to perform.
Carbone Lawyers’ John Karantzis, representing two of the women involved, described the alleged behaviour as disgusting and abhorrent. Carbone Lawyers launched legal action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the club and the five players, which is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation. Senior lawyer Jackson Pannam said their client is trying to navigate an incredibly traumatic experience.
Club Response, Denials, and Player Apology
Following an emergency meeting of the Sydney Swans board of directors, chairman Andrew Pridham and chief executive Matthew Pavlich addressed the media, offering a sincere apology to the community, fans, and the women involved. The club board confirmed that the players had committed a serious breach of behavioural standards by staying out late, drinking, and bringing women back to the hotel.
Conflicting accounts emerged regarding who was present in the hotel room. While claims suggested up to nine men were in the room across the night—including former Swans player Taylor Adams, who reportedly visited the room as a close friend of Heeney—the Swans categorically denied that more than five players were present. The club stated that all internal investigations indicated the only club representatives in the room central to the police investigation were the five suspended players. Police confirmed they are investigating the East Melbourne report, and while the five players were suspended, no members of the club had been spoken to by police detectives as of earlier updates in the week.
Broader Football and Season Impacts
The suspensions have severely impacted Sydney’s playing list heading toward the finals. In addition to missing the remainder of the season, the AFL confirmed that the five players will not be eligible for All-Australian selection. Isaac Heeney is reportedly at the centre of the police investigation.
Despite losing multiple star players, the Swans played their first match without them on a Sunday, securing a comfortable victory against North Melbourne. The team advanced to host Brisbane in a qualifying final at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
