AFL bars five suspended Sydney players from Brownlow ceremony pending police inquiry
The AFL says five Sydney Swans players suspended for breaching club standards will not attend the Brownlow Medal ceremony, while the league waits for a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault to conclude.
In short
- The AFL says five Sydney Swans players suspended for breaching club standards will not attend the Brownlow Medal ceremony, while the league waits for a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault to conclude.
The Australian Football League will not invite five suspended Sydney Swans players to the 2026 Brownlow Medal ceremony and will defer its own inquiry until police complete an investigation into an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Monday, August 24, that the league would not interfere with the Victoria Police investigation. He said the AFL would conduct its own inquiries after the police process ends.
The Swans stood down Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon for the remainder of the season over breaches of club standards, including drinking and bringing women back to the team hotel. The club disciplinary action was described as separate from the criminal investigation.
No player has been arrested or charged, and the five have reportedly denied criminal wrongdoing. Their club suspensions make them ineligible to attend the Brownlow ceremony, although they remain eligible to win the award.
Dillon said respect for women was non-negotiable and that the conduct of the police investigation had to take precedence. The league’s decision leaves any further sporting sanctions or findings until investigators have completed their work.
