Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox and captain Callum Mills have apologised for the actions of five players who were suspended over a late-night hotel gathering involving exotic dancers, as the club strongly denied claims that senior leaders were also present in the room.
Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, Nick Blakey and James Jordon have been stood down for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season. The club found the players breached its standards by drinking and bringing women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel early on Monday morning.
The suspensions are separate from a Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel. No charges have been laid, and all players have denied wrongdoing.
Allegations by victims' lawyer
John Karantzis, the head of personal injury at Carbone Lawyers who is representing two of the women involved, told 3AW radio on Friday that there were more than five men in the hotel room.
"It's more than five (men in the room), that's for sure," Karantzis told host Tom Elliott. "More than five men and it's alleged that there were even a few leaders in that room."
When asked whether he meant coaches, Karantzis replied: "I can't say in concern to that, that is for the Sydney Swans to say."
Karantzis described the alleged behaviour as the worst he had encountered in his career. "With what has been alleged, these women were subject to the most disgusting actions and behaviour I have ever heard about in my 28 years as a lawyer," he said.
"These women already have a difficult job and what they were subjected to is alleged, demeaning, abhorrent, and simply not moral or acceptable."
Sydney Swans club statement
The Sydney Swans published a blunt statement just an hour after Cox's press conference, denying that any club leaders were with the suspended players.
"The Sydney Swans can confirm that all investigations carried out by the Club have consistently indicated that the only representatives of the Club in the room central to the police investigation were the five players who have been stood down," the statement said.
"We have every reason to consider that reports to the contrary are simply false. We are respecting the process with the relevant authorities and will refrain from commenting on Police matters."
The club added it wanted to "condemn some of the misinformation being reported" and was considering its legal position on those matters.
Apology from coach
During Friday's press conference, Cox confirmed he was not in the room but declined to confirm if any other club staff were present. When pressed by a reporter on whether the club would know who was there, Cox said: "That's a police investigation so all (of) that will be brought out in due course."
Responding to Karantzis's comments, Cox said: "I respond to the utmost, the highest level about respecting women. I have always been like that. I can't comment on what a lawyer says about something other than, you know, we'll work through our process and my stance on respect for women is of the highest order."
Cox apologised to the women involved and the wider community, admitting the club's culture had "taken a hit."
"We are extremely disappointed at the actions of the players, and the sanctions imposed by the board show how seriously we take these matters. To those women involved, I hope everyone is getting the support they need," he said.
"We're going to work as hard as we possibly can to get the trust back from the community, to get the culture where we desire it to be, where it once had been."
Apology from team captain
Captain Callum Mills, who appeared downcast as he was led out of the press conference by player Tom McCartin, apologised to the club's AFLW players, female staff, and women in the wider community.
"We take these allegations extremely seriously, and we hope the women involved are getting all the support they deserve," Mills said. "We really are disappointed at the actions of these five players, and as a playing group we fully support the club's decisions on the sanctions handed down."
"We take full responsibility, and we are deeply sorry."
Joint statement by suspended players
The five suspended players released a joint apology on Wednesday evening, acknowledging they had let down their families, the club and supporters.
"We are deeply sorry to everyone involved," the statement said. "We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club."
"We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners and everyone at the club and the wider community."
"We accept the club sanction and apologise for the impact this has had on those involved. Our focus will now be on rebuilding trust with the club and the community."
Following police questioning earlier in the week, the five players were driven back to Sydney in two rental cars on Monday, reportedly to avoid reporters, while the rest of the team travelled by plane. When asked about the separate travel arrangements, Cox said: "Decisions were made (as to) how we best support our players within the circumstances that happened."
Account from exotic dancer
One of the exotic dancers who provided a statement to police told the Daily Mail she was hired as a topless waitress to entertain the players, who had allegedly pretended to be carpenters to get a discounted rate.
The woman, who the publication did not name, said she feared for her safety and had received threats from angry Swans fans after her identity was leaked online.
Meanwhile, claims have circulated via WhatsApp among sporting and media insiders that a camera was set up and footage of the gathering exists. It is unclear who allegedly set up the camera.
A photograph has also emerged showing Heeney posing in the hotel foyer with a five-year-old fan on Monday morning, with Cox visible in the background being confronted by one of the alleged victims. A lifelong Swans supporter said her daughter donned a scarf for the picture as the drama unfolded just metres away.
The Sydney Swans are preparing to face North Melbourne at home this weekend as they finish their AFL season.
