Sydney Swans suspend 5 players for 2026 season

The Sydney Swans have suspended five senior players for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season, a significant sanction the club said was imposed for breaching behavioural standards following an incident at a Melbourne hotel. The decision, announced on Wednesday, August 19, rules out Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon, and Riley Bice for all remaining matches, including the finals series.

The club stated the suspensions were independent of an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel in the early hours of Monday, August 17. Swans Chief Executive Matthew Pavlich specified the sanctions were for conduct including staying out late, drinking, and bringing women back to the hotel after the team's game against Essendon on Sunday, August 16. "It was a long way short of what we expect of our players," Pavlich told reporters.

Club Chairman Andrew Pridham offered a "sincere apology" to the community, fans, partners, and everyone affected. "There's deep disappointment within the club at what has occurred," Pridham said, describing it as a "very sad day." He emphasized the board's decision, made after a meeting on...