Swans to sanction players over “serious breach of standards” amid alleged scandal

The Sydney Swans have released a second statement regarding the alleged sexual assault involving four listed players.

It reads as follows:

The Sydney Swans can confirm that the Club Board will meet tonight to agree on player sanctions and penalties, now that the Club has concluded its interviews with all the players involved in the incident in Melbourne.

We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this.

The Club believes the players are in serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.

The Club also acknowledges that these serious allegations impact others and their wellbeing must be paramount.

The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women. Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe.

We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a Club. They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community.

Any further sanctions or decisions regarding the outcome of the police investigation would take place after that process is completed.

During this time, we will provide the appropriate support to the players involved in the incident, along with their partners and families.

The Sydney Swans hold all players and staff at the Club to high standards of behaviour and personal conduct. Representing this Club carries significant responsibilities both on and off the field, and we expect those standards to be upheld at all times.

Our focus remains on cooperating fully with the AFL and authorities, maintaining the integrity of the process, and upholding the high standards expected of everyone who represents this Club.

——

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has released a statement regarding the ongoing allegations involving four players from the Sydney Swans.

The statement is as follows:

"The conduct and serious allegations regarding Sydney Swans players are deeply concerning," Dillon said.

"While the matter remains under police investigation, it raises broader issues for our game and our responsibilities as a sport.

"The woman who made the report to police is entitled to privacy and care, and that should be respected.

"It is important that the police process is allowed to run its course.

"Sexual assault allegations are serious, regardless of who is involved, what time of year it is, or what they may mean for a season.

"Our first question should not be what this means for a football club. It should be whether our actions match the standards we stand for and the community expects of us.

"As a sport, and as an industry, we are clear about the standards we expect and the values we stand for and the need to uphold them.

"Being clear about our standards also means being prepared to act when those standards are not met.

"Notwithstanding the ongoing police investigation, the AFL and the Sydney Swans will consider the broader conduct of the players as more information comes to light."

SEN's Gerard Whateley has revealed that the Sydney Swans are set to take action on players involved in the alleged incident.

"The AFL and the Sydney Swans are going to take action on the broader conduct, separate to what is being investigated and the seriousness of that by the Victoria Police," Whateley told AFL360.

"They are going to take action in the coming hours, through a Sydney board meeting, and by the Swans hand rather than the AFL's, on the conduct that lead to 4am.

"4am to 7am is in the hands of the Sex Crimes Squad."

The punishment handed down will only consider the players' behaviours in the lead-up to the alleged incident, with the alleged sexual assault remaining under investigation.

"The players will certainly be stood down, and I would imagine suspended at least for a period of time."

The AFL has said it is “premature” for the Swans to consider handing down punishment to any player linked to the alleged sexual assault scandal.

On Monday, Victoria Police confirmed it was investigating allegations of a sexual assault incident involving players on Sunday night at a Melbourne hotel.

At the time, Victoria Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault in East Melb on 17/8.

“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Pde in the early hours of the morning.

“The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”

The Swans have since released few details or information given the nature of the allegations but CEO Matthew Pavlich has said: "we are shocked and disappointed by what has happened but this is an ongoing police matter. I will not comment any further on it now."

SEN’s Tom Morris provided an update on the ongoing situation on Tuesday evening.

“It’s an evolving story,” Morris told SEN Locked In.

“The Age has reported that the Sydney Swans players in question are set to be handed a punishment under the conduct unbecoming framework that the AFL has.

“The AFL has called this ‘premature’, when I’ve spoken to them tonight. But that’s what reporting is, it’s detailing what will happen in the future.

“Conduct unbecoming – Lance Collard (2026), Izak Rankine (2025), Tarryn Thomas in 2024, Jack Ginnivan in 2023. There are quite a few players under conduct unbecoming.

“It’s a really delicate one, and everyone has strong views either way, but what I will say is that there is a football element to this, and there is a non-football element to this, and we are really cognisant to both, with football clearly being secondary to the alleged victim or victims and what they’ve been through.”

Reports have established that one player is allegedly being subject to a thorough investigation surrounding the alleged incident.

While Tom Morris did concede this fact, the player is yet to be named.

“We’ve chosen not to name this player,” Morris said.

“Being questioned is different to being arrested and charged. I’m not going to report on that player until the scrutiny turns into a charge and/or an arrest.”

More to come.