Five Sydney Swans players have been stood down for the rest of the AFL season due to breaches of club standards, including late-night drinking and bringing women back to their team hotel in Melbourne. The players – Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, and Chad Warner – will not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 season, including finals.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich stated that the players' actions fell "well short of what we expect of our players." He clarified that the sanctions are distinct from a separate police investigation into an alleged sexual assault.
"We're not abandoning our players. We are supporting our players through this really challenging time for them," Pavlich said. He added that while the players will not be available for AFL selection, they will still be permitted to return to the football club.
Pavlich also addressed the conduct of staff members, noting that coaches and other personnel had a pre-planned get-together after the game which concluded late. He deemed their activities to be appropriate and free of issue.
"All I can say is that this football club's had a wonderful, rich, strong culture. But we've got a long way back here to rebuild the trust of our fans, our commercial partners, our sponsors, and the people that love the Sydney Swans," Pavlich commented on the impact of the incidents on the club's reputation.