A Melbourne Instagram personality has issued a public apology after falsely linking former Demons premiership coach Simon Goodwin to the allegations engulfing the Sydney Swans.
Peter Kalla admitted his claims about Sydney’s Director of Coaching and Performance were ‘false and irresponsible’ in a statement posted to more than 18,000 Instagram followers on Sunday.
The controversy surrounding the Swans began after several players allegedly gathered with three women inside a room at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel following the club’s victory over Essendon on August 16.
Victoria Police’s Sex Crimes Squad is investigating allegations of sexual assault arising from the gathering, including subsequent claims that multiple assaults occurred.
Separate reports have included allegations of inappropriate touching and illicit drug use inside the room.
No charges have been laid, and the players involved have denied criminal wrongdoing.
Simon Goodwin joined Sydney as Director of Coaching and Performance after his 2025 dismissal from the Demons club
Peter Kalla issued an unqualified apology after admitting his Instagram claims about Simon Goodwin were false and irresponsible
Victoria Police are investigating sexual assault allegations arising from a gathering at Sydney’s Melbourne team hotel in August
Sydney separately suspended Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season.
The club said the punishments were imposed for breaches of its behavioural standards, including late-night drinking and bringing visitors into the team hotel.
The Swans stressed those sanctions were separate from the police investigation and they did not represent findings concerning the sexual assault allegations.
Goodwin has not been accused of participating in the gathering or any alleged misconduct.
Kalla acknowledged that the material he published about the former Melbourne coach had no factual basis and apologised for the distress it caused Goodwin and his family.
‘I posted to Instagram a number of claims about Sydney Swans Director of Coaching & Performance, Simon Goodwin,’ Kalla wrote.
‘I accept that what I wrote was utterly uninformed and without any basis whatsoever.
‘I accept that it was false and irresponsible.
‘I now, without any qualification, apologise to Simon Goodwin and his family for the harm and distress that I have caused.’
The original claims were not repeated in the apology.
Kalla describes himself online as a travel agent and promoter, while his prolific Instagram feed regularly features posts about Greek culture, travel, entertainment and current affairs.
Goodwin joined Sydney before the 2026 season after Melbourne sacked him in August last year, despite his contract running through the following campaign.
The Demons determined their playing group required a new voice and significant list changes following consecutive seasons outside the finals.
Goodwin had guided Melbourne to its drought-breaking 2021 premiership before the club suffered finals exits in 2022 and 2023 and missed the finals in 2024 and 2025.
He joined the Swans approximately six weeks after leaving Melbourne and now works alongside senior coach Dean Cox to mentor coaches and players while overseeing performance standards.
