Sydney Swans fans have vowed to boycott the club’s next game after several players were temporarily suspended as cops investigate an alleged sexual assault.
Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, James Jordon and Chad Warner have been barred from playing the remainder of the 2026 season for breaching the club’s standards by late-night 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.
The five, who have not been formally interviewed by police, released a joint statement of apology on Wednesday evening, acknowledging their behaviour fell ‘short’ of club values and that they would focus on ‘rebuilding trust’.
Several Sydney Swans fans have vowed to walk out of the SCG when the club faces North Melbourne after the AFLW game against the Essendon Bombers on Sunday.
‘I paid money to fly my kids up from Melbourne for Sunday’s game,’ one wrote on Reddit.
‘I’ve already warned them we might not be watching the men, depending on what the club does about this.’
‘I think a walk out is the least the fans can do. (It) sends a clear message to everyone across the sport,’ a second said.
Some Swans fans have vowed to boycott Sunday’s game after the club’s AFLW game finishes
Others said the gesture would be a ‘slap in the face’ to the rest of the team, who have not been connected to the scandal.
‘Would it not be worthwhile to stick around and actually support those players that have worked their a***s off throughout the whole season now more than ever?’ a person asked.
‘The club has done the right thing with the suspensions, but the other players who have all made huge sacrifices throughout this year to earn second spot, deserve to supported through this as well.’
Others called for people to attend the Swans AFLW game in a show of support for the female team.
It comes as the men’s team, with one home-and-away game remaining, have locked up second spot on the ladder and are guaranteed two home finals.
Vice-captain Heeney, Warner and Blakey are among Sydney’s best players and were in All Australian contention.
But the AFL has now ruled all five players out of being selected for the ceremonial team, while describing their suspensions as ‘appropriate’.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club’s AFLW players were ‘deeply disappointed’ by the controversy.
The Swans issued a joint apology on behalf of the five players on Wednesday night
Sexual assault allegations emerged after the players took exotic dancers up to one of their rooms at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel for ‘private lap dances’
Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn – a former Swans board member and the first female AFL commissioner – said she was ‘shocked and troubled’ by the allegations facing the Swans.
‘My thoughts remain with the alleged sexual assault victim and I hope she is very well supported,’ Mostyn told the ABC.
‘I am also devastated for the women of the Swans… and women across the industry who have been hurt by this incident.
‘Sadly, the lack of respect for women across the country remains an issue for us all to be concerned about, particularly in sport.’
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
