AFL leaves door open for embarrassing Brownlow Medal scenario
Updated . First published at
The AFL has left the door open to the awkward possibility one of the five Sydney players at the centre of sexual assault allegations could win the Brownlow Medal.
Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordon, and Riley Bice will miss the rest of the season for breaching Swans club standards. Separately, Victoria Police continues to investigate the sexual assault allegations.
Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner remain eligible for the Brownlow Medal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
But the AFL has confirmed to nine.com.au the five players remain eligible to win the AFL’s biggest honour because they have not been suspended by the league itself, only stood down by the club.
According to AFL rules, a player is only deemed ineligible for the Brownlow if they’re suspended for on-field indiscretions.
The players’ eligibility status is in line with suspensions for other off-field incidents. Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine was last year suspended for four matches for using a homophobic slur, but remained eligible for the Brownlow.
Of the five players stood down, only Heeney, the Swans vice-captain, is realistically in the hunt to win the medal, and due to the historically dominant season of Nick Daicos, even he’s considered a long shot.
On Thursday morning, Sportsbet listed Heeney as the ninth-favourite to win the medal at $151. Collingwood gun Daicos is among the hottest favourites in history at $1.01.
Given the way his season has ended it is unlikely Heeney will attend the awards ceremony, to be held at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Monday, September 21 – its usual slot in grand final week.
The AFL on Wednesday afternoon declared all five players ineligible for All-Australian selection. Heeney, Warner and Blakey were almost shoe-ins for selection at least in the squad, with all three considered likely picks in the eventual 22. The initial squad of 46 will be unveiled on Tuesday.
Heeney was a leading contender for the Brownlow Medal in 2024 before he was suspended for one week – the first suspension of his then-193 game career – for striking St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster.
Following a marathon two-hour plus hearing in which the Swans failed to have the ban overturned, Heeney released a bizarre video apologising to fans and thanking them for the support. The video copped heavy criticism from fans and teammates.
Ironically, Heeney came nowhere near winning the award after Carlton’s Patrick Cripps polled a record-breaking 45 votes. Heeney finished in a tie for fifth with 28 votes.
