The Sydney Swans have stood down five players for the remainder of the AFL season for breaching the club’s standards – amid a separate investigation into an alleged sexual assault scandal engulfing the team.
‘Sydney Swans players Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season,’ the club said on Wednesday.
‘The AFL is supportive of the club’s sanctions. We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and the actions we have taken today are independent of this.’
The Swans added they recognised the serious impact the alleged incident had on the women involved and expressed concern for their wellbeing.
All five players had each played at least 20 of the 22 games so far this season.
The sanctions have thrown the Swans’ premiership hopes into chaos after the club cemented second spot on the ladder and booked a home qualifying final.
Sydney Swans players Riley Bice, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and James Jordon, who have been stood down
Nick Blakey has been named as the fifth player stood down
Swans chair Andrew Pridham and chief executive Matthew Pavlich are scheduled to front the media at 12pm.
Earlier, a dejected Swans coach Dean Cox was tight-lipped when confronted by reporters as he arrived at club headquarters shortly before 7am.
‘The club will make a statement,’ he said.
When asked if there was still a feeling of disappointment among the club, Cox replied, “Yeah there is.'”
Swans players were silent as they arrived at the club.
The move comes as police continue their investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving Swans players at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel.
The allegations stem from a dispute involving a woman over a perceived breach of her personal boundaries at the hotel.
The team was in Melbourne following its 36-point victory over Essendon at the MCG on Sunday, with the Pullman located 200m from the stadium.
Chad Warner was questioned by police over the allegations. He is pictured with his girlfriend Alice Hughes
Riley Bice will also not play another game this season
A player had arranged for at least two women to come to the hotel in the early hours of Monday, the source said, after more than six teammates had been out for dinner and drinks following their win.
Players reportedly returned to the hotel in several groups between about 2.15am and 3.40am, with some allegedly seen yelling on the street.
The women at the centre of the allegations reportedly arrived after 4am.
A commotion allegedly erupted inside one of the players’ rooms after a woman claimed an understanding about what was ‘off limits’ had been violated.
One of the women then left the room and went downstairs, where she confronted staff from the club and hotel.
People in the hotel lobby heard a visibly upset woman tell staff she had been ‘inappropriately touched’.
Victoria Police subsequently attended the hotel and confirmed officers were investigating a report of sexual assault.
Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Bice were interviewed by police as part of the investigation.
Isaac Heeney was questioned by police over the allegations. He is pictured here with his fiancee Steffanie Waters
‘Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel, however no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time,’ police said.
Daily Mail does not suggest any of the players are under investigation or involved in any wrongdoing, just that they spoke to police about the alleged incident.
The five players reportedly drove back to Sydney on Monday night to avoid media at the airport.
It comes after AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon on Tuesday released a statement calling for more respect around the sexual assault allegations.
‘The woman who made the report to police is entitled to privacy and care, and that should be respected.
‘It is important that the police process is allowed to run its course.
‘Sexual assault allegations are serious, regardless of who is involved, what time of year it is, or what they may mean for a season.
‘Our first question should not be what this means for a football club. It should be whether our actions match the standards we stand for and the community expects of us.
James Jordan was questioned by police over the allegations. He is pictured here with his partner Emily Twycross
‘As a sport, and as an industry, we are clear about the standards we expect and the values we stand for and the need to uphold them.
‘Being clear about our standards also means being prepared to act when those standards are not met.
‘Notwithstanding the ongoing police investigation, the AFL and the Sydney Swans will consider the broader conduct of the players as more information comes to light.’
The Swans play North Melbourne in the final round of the regular season at the SCG on Sunday afternoon.
