Five Sydney Swans Players Suspended for Rest of AFL Season Amid Police Investigation

By Blessing Nweke

Five Sydney Swans players have been suspended for the remainder of the 2026 Australian Football League (AFL) season after the club found they breached its standards during a stay at a Melbourne hotel that has become the subject of a police investigation.

Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the rest of the season, including the AFL finals, the Swans confirmed Wednesday.

The disciplinary action follows an incident at a hotel in East Melbourne after Sydney’s victory over Essendon on Sunday. Victoria Police are investigating an allegation of sexual assault after a woman reportedly made a complaint at the hotel. No charges have been laid, and police have not identified any of the five players as being involved in the alleged assault.

Sydney chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club’s sanctions were separate from the police investigation. He said the players had breached team standards through staying out late, drinking, continuing their celebrations and bringing women back to the hotel.

The Swans said the behavior fell well short of the standards expected of their players and emphasized that the club condemns abuse and disrespectful behavior toward women. Club chairman Andrew Pridham apologized and said the decision reflected the seriousness with which the club viewed the matter.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon described the allegations as deeply concerning and said the case raised broader questions about the sport’s responsibilities.

The investigation remains ongoing, while the Swans face a major sporting setback with five players unavailable for the remainder of their campaign.