Sydney Swans ban Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon for remainder of 2026 season
Sydney has suspended Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season.The ban comes after at least four players were linked to an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne Hotel where the Swans were staying after their win over Essendon on Sunday night.It is not suggested that any of the players are being accused of sexual assault."The AFL is supportive of the club's sanctions," the Swans said in a statement on Wednesday morning."We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and the actions we have taken today are independent of this."The ban includes this Sunday's home and away finale against North Melbourne and any finals matches the Swans will play afterwards.Sydney's sanctions come after the club conducted interviews with the players linked to the Melbourne incident off-site with their lawyers present. Sydney's board met on Tuesday night to discuss club-imposed sanctions."The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women," the club said in a statement on Tuesday."Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe."We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a club."They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require, and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community."Any further sanctions or decisions regarding the outcome of the police investigation would take place after that process is completed."During this time, we will provide the appropriate support to the players involved in the incident, along with their partners and families."The Sydney Swans hold all players and staff at the club to high standards of behaviour and personal conduct. Representing this club carries significant responsibilities both on and off the field, and we expect those standards to be upheld at all times."Our focus remains on cooperating fully with the AFL and authorities, maintaining the integrity of the process, and upholding the high standards expected of everyone who represents this club."Swans chairmperson Andrew Pridham and CEO Matthew Pavlich addressed media in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.During the conference Pridham said the club's statements would be limited to its inquiries related to the five players "involved in breaching the club's standards"."As much as we would like to, we cannot discuss any matters broader than that," he said.He said he wanted to offer a "sincere apology"."I want to offer an apology, sincere apology, to the community, to our many, many fans, our corporate partners," he said."Who've been amazingly supportive of us, understanding that we are attempting to deal with this matter as quickly as we can, as honestly as we can, given the constraints of the police inquiry, and to very much be transparent in our dealings with the media."He said the five players were "extremely remorseful for their actions and having breached the club's standards"."I think that the sanction that we've imposed and the impact that will have on our football season is clear for all to see," he said.He went on to say "the football outcome was not a consideration of the board" in deciding to sanction the players"We purely are looking at this through the lens of players breaching - a small number of players, relative to our total player list - breaching our high standards that we expect," he said.Pavlich told reporters the five players' ban from the season included any finals matches.He said the AFL supported the club's decision."We respect that this is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police, and the actions we've taken today are independent - totally independent - of this," he said.
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