AFL makes bold fixture call for return of banned Swans
The Sydney Swans will open the 2027 AFL season on Wednesday March 17 against Geelong, marking the return of the players suspended during the Pullman Hotel incident, barring further punishments.
The Swans suspended Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice for the remainder of the 2026 season, following a late-night of partying after their round 23 game.
James Jordon, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Riley Bice, and Nick Blakey. Nine
In the aftermath, multiple women alleged incidents of sexual assault took place.
Bice was later cleared of wrongdoing by Victoria Police and is being treated as a potential witness.
Nine.com.au is not suggesting any of the players are guilty, only that there is an ongoing investigation.
Blakey requested a trade out of the club and has joined North Melbourne, meaning Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Bice are all expected to play their first game back for Sydney in that Wednesday night SCG clash with Geelong.
The Swans must decide upon a stand-in captain for the start of the season, given Callum Mills tore his ACL in September. Heeney is currently the vice-captain, but would likely now be out of the running.
All four players will return to the club for day one of pre-season training.
Geelong is meanwhile coming off a semi-final loss to Fremantle, but added GWS captain Toby Greene, St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall and Essendon defender Jordan Ridley in the trade period.
Blakey will make his Roos debut at home against the Power on Sunday afternoon.
The AFL has gone with an entirely different strategy to open this season, ditching Opening Round after the concept of launching the season with four games across New South Wales and Queensland failed to gather steam.
They are still opening the season in Sydney, but Brisbane, Gold Coast and GWS will all play away games in round one of 2027.
They have also ditched the traditional Thursday night Carlton versus Richmond game, instead moving it to Saturday afternoon.
Fremantle will host that Thursday night slot against the Western Bulldogs, while premiership favourites Hawthorn and Brisbane will face off at the MCG on Friday night.
We will see Zak Butters make his Bulldogs debut and Zach Merrett make his Hawks debut in these matches.
The Lions will have to wait until at least round two to unveil their premiership flag, given they start the season in Victoria.
The AFL has put in place an MCG double-header for Saturday, with Richmond/Carlton flowing into St Kilda versus Collingwood, where Lachie Neale will play as a Pie for the first time.
The release of the round one fixture follows the Gather Round fixture dropping on Monday. The full fixture is expected either later in the week or, at the latest, next week.
See the full AFL round one fixture below.
We have listed all games in local time.
Zach Merrett in Hawthorn colours. Hawthorn
Wednesday 17 March | Sydney Swans vs Geelong Cats, 7:30pm, SCG
Thursday 18 March | Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs, 5:10pm, Optus Stadium
Friday 19 March | Hawthorn vs Brisbane Lions, 7:40pm, MCG
Saturday 20 March | Richmond vs Carlton, 12:35pm, MCG
Saturday 20 March | Adelaide Crows vs GWS GIANTS, 3:45pm, Adelaide Oval
Saturday 20 March | St Kilda vs Collingwood, 7:40pm, MCG
Sunday 21 March | North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide, 1:10pm, Marvel Stadium
Sunday 21 March | Melbourne vs Essendon, 3:15pm, MCG
Sunday 21 March | West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast SUNS, 3:10pm, Optus Stadium
