The Sydney Swans have banned five players from the rest of the 2026 AFL season as the club responds to an alleged incident at the team’s Melbourne hotel.

Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection again this year after Sydney determined players had committed a “serious breach” of club behaviour and standards. The sanction follows an emergency board meeting on Tuesday night and the completion of the club’s interviews with all players involved.

Sydney said its disciplinary action is separate from the investigation being conducted by the Victoria Police Sexual Crimes Squad, which is examining an alleged sexual assault reported in East Melbourne on August 17. No arrests have been made, no charges have been laid, and the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

The Herald Sun first reported that police had attended the team hotel, plunging the club into crisis. Swans staff, including coach Dean Cox, arrived at the club’s SCG headquarters before 7am on Wednesday ahead of a major day for the organisation.

It has been reported Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice were questioned by police about the alleged assault, while the manager of a fifth player denied his client had spoken to authorities. 

The fallout has also spread through Sydney’s AFLW program. Callum Mills apologised to the wider women’s playing group on Tuesday in an informal address before they completed a skills session, and it is understood he acknowledged the hurt the situation was causing some of the W players.

Earlier, chief operating officer Drew Arthurson spoke to the women’s players in a more formal setting, answering questions and repeating a message delivered to other key officials on Monday. He stressed these were allegations, but said the club was treating them very seriously, while support was offered to every player. Sydney’s AFLW side trained as normal ahead of Sunday’s AFL men’s and women’s double header at the SCG. It is understood some members of the club’s AFLW cohort are angry and distressed, and that some players discussed whether those implicated would represent the Swans again if charges were laid.

The club said in a statement: “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 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.”

In an earlier statement, the Swans said: “The Club believes the players are in serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.

“The Club also acknowledges that these serious allegations impact others and their wellbeing must be paramount.

“The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women. “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.”

The alleged incident under scrutiny is said to have taken place inside the club’s Melbourne hotel after Sydney’s win over Essendon at the SCG on Sunday night.

Isaac Heeney is engaged to long-time partner Steffanie Waters, who is not in any way involved in the alleged incident in Melbourne. Chad Warner is in a relationship with Alice Hughes, who is also not in any way involved in the alleged incident.