The 2026 AFL Awards ceremony, held at Centrepiece in Melbourne on Monday night, saw a notable absence of Sydney Swans players. Despite six Swans players being nominated for awards, including Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow for the Most Valuable Player gong, none were present at the event.
Curnow was showcased in a pre-recorded segment during the Fox Footy broadcast, highlighting his season, but he did not appear at the ceremony. Other Swans players nominated who were absent include Isaac Heeney, Brodie Grundy, Harry Kyle, Callum Mills, and James Rowbottom. The players' no-show comes as the team navigates a high-profile hotel scandal.
The event itself featured many of the league's prominent players and their partners on the red carpet. Footy presenter Megan Waters, AFL power couple Kelsey Browne and Luke Jackson of the Dockers, Jagga Smith of the Blues, Jarman Impey of the Hawks with his wife Annabelle, Eagles player Josh Lindsay with his date, Fremantle star Josh Treacy with partner Nikki Miller, Wayne Milera of the Crows with wife Nina Starkey, and Lions star Zac Bailey with partner Emilie were among those in attendance. Former AFL star Mitch Brown also attended with his pregnant partner Louisa Keck.