Five Sydney Swans players have been suspended for the rest of the AFL season following late-night drinking and alleged hotel sexual assault claims.
Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon were stood down by the Australian Football League club for breaching team standards after allegedly staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel early on Monday morning.
The internal suspensions are separate from an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel. Police have laid no charges, and all five players have denied any wrongdoing.
The Sydney Swans are a professional Australian rules football team based in Sydney, competing in the elite 18-team Australian Football League. The AFL is Australia's top-tier professional football competition, attracting millions of spectators across the country during its annual season.
Adelaide 4am outing
The club action comes as reports emerged that Heeney and Blakey were seen drinking until 4:00am in Adelaide on June 14, just weeks before the Melbourne incident. According to a report by The Advertiser on Friday, fans spotted the pair at the Black Bull venue on Hindley Street following a three-point victory over Port Adelaide the previous day.
Witnesses reported that the two players posed for photographs with supporters at the Stables Beer Garden and appeared to be in good spirits. An anonymous fan told The Advertiser that the players were nice and friendly, though Heeney asked not to use the camera flash when taking a photograph.
The two players reportedly remained at the venue until 4:30am, past South Australia's 3:00am venue lockout time. Reports indicated they were joined by teammates Joel Amartey and South Australian player Matthew Roberts. AFL regulations have previously allowed players to go out after a match if there is at least a seven-day break before their next game. The Adelaide outing occurred during a 12-day break before the Swans played Brisbane on June 25. The Sydney Swans declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail regarding the Adelaide trip.
Police probe and fresh claims
The broader controversy has brought intense scrutiny onto the AFL following allegations of an abhorrent sexual assault at the Melbourne hotel. Following the reported incident at the Pullman hotel, police decided the players were not fit to be interviewed at that time. Heeney later attended a city police station voluntarily but was sent away by officers.
Fresh allegations have also surfaced regarding comments allegedly made by players while dancers performed in the room. The Herald Sun reported that one player allegedly declared he had done an Albo during a lap dance, an apparent reference to controversial comments made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding melons. Albanese had sparked controversy after discussing receiving a gift of two melons from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi while gesturing near his chest during a podcast interview.
Legal action and room disputes
On Saturday, it was revealed that a third woman involved in the hotel incident has secured legal representation from law firm Slater and Gordon for a potential civil claim. Senior lawyer Jackson Pannam said in a statement that their client has had her entire world turned upside down and is now trying to navigate an incredibly traumatic experience, adding that everyone deserves to be safe without risk of being assaulted or harmed. The law firm confirmed the woman contacted police immediately after the alleged assault and continues to cooperate with investigators.
Meanwhile, personal injury head John Karantzis of Carbone Lawyers, who represents two other women involved, spoke to Melbourne radio station 3AW on Friday, stating that the full details regarding the number of men present had yet to emerge. Karantzis later told 7News that there was immense pressure placed by approximately 10 men in a small room on three women, after they had been told only five men would be present. He added that the women are traumatised, suffering stress and anxiety, and fearful for their lives due to online trolling, requesting that their privacy be respected.
When contacted by the Daily Mail about Karantzis' statements, the Sydney Swans referred to their Friday statement. The club stated that internal investigations consistently indicated the only club representatives in the room central to the police investigation were the five suspended players. The Swans added that reports to the contrary were considered false, noted they are respecting the official process with authorities, and stated they are considering their legal position regarding reported misinformation.
Coaching response and squad changes
Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox and captain Callum Mills spoke publicly on Friday for the first time since the suspensions. Cox, who had been out past midnight celebrating Sydney securing a top-two spot and two home finals following a 36-point win over Essendon on Sunday, was coy when asked if allowing players to go out without a curfew was a mistake. Cox stated that the club discussed what was required post-game to make right decisions, acknowledging these were not the right decisions and explaining that is why the club acted with sanctions.
Addressing the emotional toll of the week, Cox acknowledged it had been a really hard week for everyone at the club. He admitted that leadership must take responsibility for rebuilding the team's reputation after the lawyer described the alleged actions as abhorrent and among the worst in 28 years. Cox noted he has been at the club for nine years, values everyone highly, and pledged that leaders will strive strongly to repay the faith of supporters.
Ahead of the upcoming AFL match against North Melbourne, Sydney confirmed on Friday evening that experienced midfielder James Rowbottom, veteran Harry Cunningham, Angus Sheldrick, Caiden Cleary and Tom Hanily have been selected to replace the five suspended players.
