Victorian detectives travel to NSW as Swans hotel probe widens

AFL

Victorian sex crime detectives will travel to New South Wales to investigate a reported sexual assault case involving the Sydney Swans.

The ABC says the probe focuses on an alleged non‑consensual touch at the Pullman Hotel early Monday morning.

The alleged victim has spoken to police.

Four Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad officers are expected to arrive in Sydney as the investigation expands.

No arrests or charges have been made regarding the alleged incident.

The Swans said they are ready to “torpedo” their AFL season by suspending five star players to show their commitment to club standards.

The Swans suspended Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner for the rest of the 2026 AFL season over an alleged incident at a Melbourne hotel early Monday morning.

At least five players are linked to a Victoria Police investigation of an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel where the Swans stayed after beating Essendon on Sunday night.

The club says none of the players are accused of sexual assault and none have been formally interviewed by police or charged.

The five Swans players will also be excluded from All Australian selection, according to the AFL.

The AFL said the five players will not be considered for the 2026 All Australian squad after the Swans’ club sanction, according to a league statement.

This decision is separate from the ongoing Victoria Police investigation.

The AFL will finalise the 2026 All Australian squad on Monday next week and announce the team at the AFL Awards the following day in Melbourne.

Telstra said it is “deeply concerned by what has been reported” and respects the police investigation.

Telstra added that player‑ambassadors who are helping police will not take part in ambassador duties while the investigation continues.

Telstra will review ambassador arrangements after the investigation ends and will give an update then.

Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner are both Telstra ambassadors.

Swans sponsor QBE supported the club’s actions.

QBE said it acknowledges the seriousness of the reported allegations, a spokesperson said today.

“We do not tolerate behaviour that harms the safety, dignity or wellbeing of others and we back the club’s stance against abuse and disrespect toward women,” a QBE representative said.

“Because a police investigation is active, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further,” they added.

Another sponsor, realestate.com.au, said it is “deeply concerned about the serious allegations involving several Sydney Swans players.”

“We know investigations are underway and we await their findings,” a company spokesperson said.

Swans sanctions are for breaches of club standards.

(Clockwise from top left) James Jordon, Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney have been stood down. (ABC News/Getty Images)

Swans chairman Andrew Pridham and CEO Matthew Pavlich said the bans relate only to breaches of club standards and expected behaviour.

“We hope people see how seriously we have taken this matter,” Pridham said.

“We are very proud of the culture we have built over many years at the club. We get more right than wrong. This is a very sad day for everyone involved,” said Pavlich.

Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich (left) and chairman Andrew Pridham. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)

“I know the five players involved; they are very remorseful for breaking club standards, and the sanction we imposed and its impact on our season is clear to all,” Pavlich said.

“It is important to note that the football outcome was not a factor for the board,” he added.

Sydney’s sanctions followed club interviews with the players off‑site, with lawyers present. The board met on Tuesday night to discuss the club‑imposed sanctions.

AFLW star‑turned‑broadcaster Kate McCarthy said media focus on the police probe of Swans players could affect the team’s finals chances.

The bans relate to the players staying out late drinking and bringing women back to the hotel, according to club bosses.

Pavlich said the behaviour fell “far short of what we expect of our players,” and Pridham added that the actions left the club no choice but to impose a heavy sanction.

“They should not have been in that situation,” Pridham said.

“The only way to deal with it is to put our foot down hard, which we have done. To effectively torpedo our season by making this decision shows how seriously we are taking it,” he said.

The AFL supports the team’s sanctions and the Swans say their decision is independent of the 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 later finals matches.

Pavlich said the club is “deeply embarrassed and ashamed,” stressing concern for the welfare of the women involved.

“They are the ones most affected right now,” he said, adding the Swans will not contact the women directly to avoid interfering with the police investigation.

While the five suspended players cannot play for the rest of the year, Pavlich said “they will be allowed back at the football club” this season.

“We are not abandoning our players,” he said.

“We are supporting our players through this very challenging time for them,” Pavlich added.

Pridham noted the sanctions should not tarnish the whole team’s reputation.

“Many players are not affected, and I believe our male team has largely shown complete respect for women, so that is not a concern,” he said.

“When situations like this happen and standards break down, we will, as a board and executive team, review how we handle these matters in the future and see if changes are needed,” he said.

“We are very proud of our culture. We don’t get everything perfect all the time, and things happen, but we will fix them moving forward,” he said.

West Coast AFLW head coach Daisy Pearce urged men to “be a good human,” not just for themselves but for the impact on others. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Matt King)

AFLW pioneer Daisy Pearce called the repeat of violence allegations against women in the AFL “disappointing.”

At a press conference, West Coast Eagles AFLW coach Pearce asked young men to think about how their behaviour affects others.

“Be a good human. Be a good human, and for those in high‑profile roles understand that being a good human matters and influences what others think is acceptable,” she said.

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Wed 19 Aug 2026 at 12:56pm Swans team has always shown respect for women, Pridham says

When asked about future changes, Pridham said the male team has “by and large, always shown complete respect for women.”

“I want to stress that this breach of our standards involves five players. Many players are not affected,” he said.

“When situations like this arise and standards break down, we will, as a board and executive team, review how we handle these matters going forward,” he said.

Wed 19 Aug 2026 at 12:52pm Club aims to be in a “better position going forward,” Pridham says

Pridham answered a question about whether he thinks the Swans’ season is now “torpedoed.”

“You always enter the field expecting to perform well,” he said.

He says banning “five of our best players” for the rest of the season shows the club is not trying to hide anything.

“I am confident that, after this action, we will be in a better place going forward,” he said.

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