Former AFL player Sam Newman has reignited controversy by using the phrase 'buyer's remorse' in commentary on the Sydney Swans players involved in an incident at a Melbourne hotel. Newman applied the expression to the players' decision to remain out drinking until the early hours of the morning, a few days after he faced widespread condemnation for employing the same term when discussing a woman who was raped by celebrity manager Ralph Carr.
Newman recorded his latest remarks on his podcast, 'You Cannot Be Serious,' while on holiday in Europe. At the time of recording, the full extent of the sanctions against the players had not yet been announced. Subsequently, Sydney confirmed that five players would not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season.
The sanctioned players were identified as Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, and Chad Warner. The club stated that these players breached club standards. The Australian Football League (AFL) expressed support for the disciplinary actions, emphasizing that they were independent of the ongoing Victoria Police investigation into a reported sexual assault at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel.
Newman asserted that the players warranted consequences for their actions, specifically for remaining out until approximately 4:30 a.m. He argued that their conduct alone justified disciplinary measures from the club, describing their decision as "stupidity." He speculated that the players, some of whom he suggested were "partially educated," must have had second thoughts during their late-night outing, stating, "This is buyer's remorse. This is not a good idea."
Newman clarified that his use of 'buyer's remorse' was intended to describe the players' poor judgment in being out drinking late, rather than to comment on the alleged sexual assault or the individuals involved. He acknowledged at the time that information was incomplete and that facts should be established before conclusions were drawn about the interaction.
"They should only be stood down until the facts are clarified as to what happened with the interaction between the women," Newman stated. The Swans later imposed their season-ending sanctions following a club board meeting, announcing, "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 confirmed its support for the club's sanctions and noted their independence from the Victoria Police investigation.
Victoria Police had attended the Pullman on Monday morning after receiving a report of a sexual assault. Officers interviewed several individuals at the hotel. Heeney, Warner, Jordon, and Bice reportedly spoke with police voluntarily later. No arrests were made, and police have not publicly identified a suspect. The report stated there is no suggestion that any of the five players stood down by Sydney were investigated by the police or committed the alleged sexual assault or any other criminal wrongdoing.
Newman also used the podcast to reaffirm his earlier 'buyer's remorse' comments concerning Ralph Carr's rape conviction. Carr, 66, was found guilty by a Victorian County Court jury on July 28 of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault stemming from an incident in March 2023. Newman had previously suggested the victim "might have had some buyer's remorse," drawing criticism from anti-violence campaigners who accused him of blaming the victim and questioning her credibility. Newman has consistently maintained that his phrase referred to the decision to consume cocaine and alcohol before the assault, not the rape itself.
"Buyer's remorse meaning a bad decision," Newman reiterated, comparing the expression to remarks attributed to Carr's former wife, Tina Arena, who reportedly said, "You reap what you sow." Newman argued that "reap what you sow" implies consequences for actions, which he found similar to his use of "buyer's remorse" to denote a poor decision. He noted that Arena did not face similar criticism for her statement.
Newman accused critics of misrepresenting his original comments by omitting references to cocaine and alcohol, thereby creating a false impression that he was defending Carr. He asserted that the exclusion of these details led to the manipulation of his words. Anti-violence campaigner Sherele Moody and writer Rita Nasr had previously accused Newman of questioning the victim's credibility and reframing the jury's verdict. Newman rejected these criticisms, maintaining that 'buyer's remorse' can apply to any decision that results in a negative outcome.