Five Sydney Swans players have apologised to their club, supporters and the wider community after being suspended for the remainder of the AFL season for breaching club standards.
Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner were stood down following an incident after Sydney’s match against Essendon on Sunday night. The players reportedly stayed out drinking late and brought women back to the team hotel.
In a statement issued on behalf of the five players, they expressed regret over their actions and acknowledged that their behaviour fell below the standards expected by the club.
“We are deeply sorry to everyone involved,” the players said, accepting the sanction imposed by the Swans and apologising for the impact of their actions.
The Sydney Swans defended the decision to suspend the five players, saying the move demonstrated the club’s commitment to maintaining its standards and expected behaviour, despite the significant impact on its AFL season.
The sanctions also have consequences beyond the club. The AFL confirmed that the five players will not be considered for selection in the 2026 All Australian squad.
The league said the decision was made following the Swans’ disciplinary action and was separate from an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into the incident.
The suspensions represent a major setback for the Swans, with five senior players unavailable for the remainder of the season. The club has nevertheless maintained that its standards and values must be upheld regardless of the players involved.
