Five Sydney Swans players who were stood down for the rest of the season over breaches of club standards have issued an apology to their club, fans and the wider community.
In a statement on behalf of Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner, the players said they were “deeply sorry to everyone involved”.
The players were banned by the Swans for breaches of standards and expected behaviour after they stayed out late drinking and brought women back to the team hotel after the game against Essendon on Sunday night.
“We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club,” they said.
The five said that they accepted the club’s sanction and apologised for the impact on those involved.
Earlier in the day, the Swans said their willingness to “torpedo” their AFL season by suspending the five star players proved their commitment to upholding standards at the club.
In addition to the club sanction, the five Swans players will not be considered for All Australian selection, according to the AFL.
“Following the decision and appropriate club sanction imposed by the Sydney Swans today in relation to the conduct of five of their players, the AFL has determined those players will not be considered for selection in the 2026 All Australian squad,” the league said in a statement.
“This decision is independent of the ongoing Victoria Police investigation.”
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich (left) and chairman Andrew Pridham. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)
Victorian detectives head to NSW
Victorian sex crime detectives are expected to travel to New South Wales as they investigate the alleged incident.
The ABC understands the investigation centres on an allegation of touching without consent at the Pullman Hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.
It is understood the alleged victim has spoken to police. Â
Multiple law enforcement sources have told the ABC that four officers from the Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad will land in Sydney as they expand their investigation.
Police have not made any arrests or laid charges over the alleged incident.
It is not suggested that any of the players are being accused of sexual assault, and none of the banned players has been formally interviewed by police, according to the club.
Sponsors speak out
Telstra has spoken out, saying it was “deeply concerned by what’s been reported” and respected that the matter was being investigated by police.
“Players assisting police with their investigation who are also Telstra ambassadors are not participating in any ambassador activity while the investigation is ongoing,” a Telstra spokesperson said.
“We will review their ambassador arrangements once the investigation is complete and will provide an update at that time.”
It is understood that Heeney and Warner have both been Telstra ambassadors.
Swans sponsors QBE came out in support of the club’s actions.
“QBE acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations that have been reported,” a spokesperson said today.
“We have no tolerance for conduct that compromises the safety, dignity or wellbeing of others and we support the club’s position in condemning all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women.
“Given there is an active police investigation it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.”
Another club sponsor, realestate.com.au, also responded, saying they were “deeply concerned about the serious allegations involving several Sydney Swans players”.
“We are aware there are investigations currently being conducted by the relevant authorities and await the findings of those investigations,” a company spokesperson said.
Swans sanctions solely for breaches of club standardsÂ
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham and chief executive Matthew Pavlich have stressed the decision to ban the players is solely related to breaches of the club’s standards and expected behaviour.
“Hopefully people can see how seriously we’ve taken this matter,” Pridham said.
“We’re very proud of our culture we’ve built over many years at the club. We get more right than we get wrong. Clearly this is a very sad day for us and for everybody involved.
“I know the five players involved, they’re extremely remorseful for their actions in breaching the club’s standards, and I think the sanction we’ve imposed and the impact that will have on our football season is clear for all to see.
“It’s very important to note the football outcome was not a consideration of the board.”
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Sydney’s sanctions came after the club conducted interviews with the players linked to the Melbourne incident off-site with their lawyers present. Sydney’s board met on Tuesday night to discuss club-imposed sanctions.
The bans handed to the players, according to the club bosses, relate to their decision to continue drinking late into the night and bring women back to the hotel.
Pavlich said it fell “a long way short of what we expect of our players”, and Pridham added that their actions left the club with no choice but to impose a heavy sanction.
“They shouldn’t have been in that situation,” Pridham said.
“The only way we can deal with it is to put our foot down incredibly hard, which we’ve done. To effectively torpedo our season by making a decision such as this tells you how seriously we’re taking this.”
The AFL has backed the team’s sanctions and the Swans say their decision is independent of an ongoing Victoria Police investigation.
The rest of the Swans will prepare for North Melbourne on Sunday and then a finals campaign. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)
The players’ ban includes this Sunday’s home-and-away finale against North Melbourne and any finals matches the Swans will play afterwards.
Pavlich said the club was “deeply embarrassed and ashamed”, stressing they were “deeply concerned” about the welfare and wellbeing of the women involved.
“They’re the ones who are impacted severely at the moment,” he said, adding that the Swans did not want to interfere with the police investigation by reaching out to the women directly.
While the five suspended players will not be allowed to play for the rest of the year, Pavlich said “they will be allowed back at the football club” this season.
“We’re not abandoning our players,” he said.
“We are supporting our players through this really challenging time for them.”
Pridham pointed out the sanctions should not tarnish the entire team’s reputation.
“There are many players this doesn’t apply to, and I believe our male team has, by and large, displayed complete respect for women, so I don’t think that’s something of concern,” he said.
“However, clearly when situations such as this emerge, and clearly there has been a breakdown in standards, we will, in time, as a board and as an executive team, review how we deal with these things going forward and we’ll look to see if changes need to be made.
“We’re very, very proud of our culture. We don’t get everything perfectly right over time, and things happen from time to time, and it’s how we fix it going forward.”
West Coast AFLW head coach Daisy Pearce has called on men to “be a good human” not just for themselves but for the effect they have on others. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Matt King)
AFLW pioneer Daisy Pearce says it is “disappointing” allegations of violence against women have arisen again in the AFL.
Speaking at a press conference, West Coast Eagles AFLW coach Pearce urged young men to consider how their behaviour impacted others.
“Be a good human. Be a good human and for those that are in high-profile positions understand that you being a good human matters but it also has a massive impact on what other people think is acceptable as well,” she said.
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