The Sydney Swans have stood down five players for the remainder of the AFL season after the club found they breached its standards by staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the team hotel – amid a separate police investigation into an alleged sexual assault.
Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the rest of the 2026 season, the club announced on Wednesday.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the players were sanctioned for staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the team hotel in Melbourne.
‘It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was to continue their night,’ Pavlich said.
‘It was bringing women back to the hotel. It was a long way short of what we expect of our players.
‘And we’re holding them to a really high standard. But they were well short of anywhere near that standard.’
The club stressed the sanctions were separate from the sexual assault allegations being investigated by Victoria Police.
‘We’re not abandoning our players. We are supporting our players through this really challenging time for them,’ he said.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the players were sanctioned for staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the team hotel in Melbourne
Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the rest of the 2026 season, the club announced on Wednesday
‘Just to be clear – they will not be considered for AFL selection for the remainder of the season, including finals. But they will be allowed back at the football club.’
Palvich also addressed why the coach was also out late that night.
‘The staff – coaches, physios, doctors, commercial staff, media people – had a get-together, pre-planned get together.
‘They all finished the game quite late. They all got back to the hotel quite late, had some dinner, and then went out.
‘It wasn’t inappropriate, what they did. No issue at all with them.
‘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.’
Palvich was also asked if the players would be tested for illicit drugs.
‘That’s a matter’s for the police,’ he said.
