Detectives from Victoria Police are preparing to interview five Sydney Swans players as an investigation into an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel enters a new phase.
Officers from the Sexual Crimes Squad are expected to travel to Sydney this week to speak with Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon. All five players have denied any criminal wrongdoing, and no charges have been laid.
Heeney has reportedly been a key focus of the investigation to date. Investigators may also question another player under caution regarding his alleged activities inside the hotel room.
Prominent Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Tony Hargreaves has been engaged to represent the five players. In Australian legal proceedings, questioning under caution is a formal procedure where suspects are advised of their right to remain silent before interrogation.
Details of the Melbourne hotel booking
The police investigation focuses on a two-hour hotel room booking said to have involved three adult entertainers at the Pullman East Melbourne during the early hours of Monday, August 17. The hotel is situated in East Melbourne, near the Melbourne Cricket Ground where Sydney had played earlier.
The booking was reportedly made after Sydney defeated Essendon at the venue. All three women who attended the hotel room have alleged that sexual assaults occurred during the booking, and they have since retained civil lawyers.
One of the women alleged that nine men were inside the room during the incident. Former Australian Football League player Taylor Adams was also reportedly with the group during the night, though it remains unclear whether he was present when the women arrived.
Witnesses have alleged that one of the women was ejected from the room and locked outside in the hallway. She later reportedly confronted Sydney coach Dean Cox in the hotel foyer between 6am and 7am as the team prepared for breakfast and their return flight to Sydney.
Club officials provide witness statements
Detectives have already taken voluntary witness statements from four senior Sydney Swans officials. They include head coach Dean Cox, head of football Leon Cameron, communications manager Tom Chadwick, and head of wellbeing and development Brett Kirk.
None of those four officials was inside the room when the alleged incidents occurred. Investigators could seek formal advice from Victoria's Office of Public Prosecutions regarding the prospects of securing a conviction once all available evidence has been compiled.
The Sydney Swans declined to comment on the latest police developments. The club suspended Heeney, Warner, Blakey, Bice and Jordon for the remainder of the season two days after the incident occurred.
Impact on the AFL finals campaign
Sydney specified that the club sanctions were imposed because the players stayed out late, consumed alcohol and brought women back to the team hotel, breaching internal club rules. The Swans emphasized that the suspensions were separate from the sexual assault allegations and did not represent findings of criminal wrongdoing.
The ongoing police inquiry hangs over the Australian Football League club as Sydney prepares to host the Brisbane Lions in a qualifying final at the Sydney Cricket Ground this Saturday. The Swans finished the regular season in second place on the AFL ladder.
Finishing second earned Sydney a home qualifying final and a double chance in the finals series. The Swans stand two home victories away from reaching their third AFL Grand Final in five years, but must contest the finals series without the five suspended players.
Match outlook and roster availability
Former Essendon coach James Hird believes the absence of the five players leaves Sydney severely vulnerable against a Brisbane team that has suffered just one defeat in three months. Speaking on Nine's Footy Furnace television program, Hird noted that Brisbane enters the finals in top form.
"This is going to be tough. The Brisbane Lions are rampaging," Hird told Nine's Footy Furnace. "If the Lions are at their best and they hit top form with all of their talent, it's going to be very hard for Sydney with the quality of players they've got out. Brisbane for me. I think they're the favourites."
Despite the suspensions, Sydney could welcome back key forward Joel Amartey following an Achilles injury, while Hayden McLean is expected to clear concussion protocols. Midfielder Justin McInerney is also attempting to overcome a hamstring injury before teams are announced on Thursday night.
