Five players from the Sydney Swans Australian rules football team have been suspended for the remainder of the 2026 season after bringing exotic dancers back to their hotel in the early hours of Monday morning. Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich stated that the players were expected to adhere to high standards and that their actions, which included staying out late, drinking, and inviting women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel at 4 a.m., fell "a long way short of what we expect."
None of the players have been arrested or charged, and the club has indicated that the sanctions are separate from any sexual assault allegations. Victoria Police confirmed they attended the hotel and are investigating a report of sexual assault. All five players were questioned by police in relation to the alleged incident.
Player Relationships
Of the five sanctioned players—Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, James Jordon, and Chad Warner—four are publicly in committed relationships. Isaac Heeney, 30, is engaged to influencer Steffie Waters, who moved across the country to support his career. The couple gained attention for a Christmas-themed Instagram post and are reportedly renovating a home together. Heeney, who also recently turned 30, has previously shared videos of his home renovation projects and has indicated a playful maturity level. He has also had a one-match suspension in 2024 for striking a player.
Chad Warner, 25, is dating Alice Hughes, who relocated from Perth to Sydney for his football career. Warner, who is represented by TGI Sports Talent and offers personalized videos to fans, was reportedly the victim of a nude photo scandal in 2022.
Nick Blakey, 26, is in a relationship with Olympian sprinter Ella Connolly, who competed in the Paris 2024 Games. Blakey, whose father is AFL legend John Blakey, was involved in an incident last year where he was the subject of alleged inappropriate touching during a game. An investigation into that incident was closed without a complaint from either club.
James Jordon, 25, is dating charity worker Emily Twycross. Both originate from towns near the New South Wales-Victoria border. Jordon, an only child, attended boarding school on a scholarship and did not consider a professional football career until he was approached by AFL clubs at age 18.
Riley Bice, 25, is the only one of the five players not to have publicly disclosed a relationship. Bice, who grew up in Albury on the NSW-Victoria border, began playing for the Swans last year.
Hotel Incident Details
The incident unfolded following the Swans' victory over Essendon on Sunday. While the team celebrated together the following night, a group of players reportedly continued their festivities. Reports indicate that at least two women were arranged to come to the hotel in the early hours of Monday. Players returned to the hotel in multiple groups between approximately 2:15 a.m. and 3:40 a.m., with some allegedly heard yelling outside. The women reportedly arrived after 4 a.m.
A commotion allegedly occurred in one of the player rooms when a woman claimed that an understanding of what was considered "off limits" had been violated. Subsequently, one woman left the room and reportedly confronted hotel staff in the lobby, telling them she had been "inappropriately touched." Victoria Police attended the scene and are investigating the report. None of the partners of the sanctioned players have made public statements. Several of the partners, excluding Steffie Waters, have made their social media profiles private.