Drugs seized from Swans hotel room as sponsors distance themselves from players
The Sydney Swans have hit out at “misinformation” and threatened legal action as more details of what allegedly took place inside a Melbourne hotel room emerge.
Swans coach Dean Cox and captain Callum Mills fronted media on Friday and were grilled on the events that have led to Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon, and Riley Bice being suspended for the remainder of the AFL season.
James Jordon, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Riley Bice, and Nick Blakey. Nine
Heeney is the focus of a Victoria Police investigation after a woman reported being sexually assaulted inside the Pullman Hotel in the early hours of Monday. The club-imposed suspensions are separate to the police investigation.
The alleged victim spoke to News Corp on Thursday night and claimed as many as nine men were in the hotel room. The adult entertainers were reportedly told the players were carpenters, rather than AFL athletes.
Reports also claim cocaine was seized by police, and 9News Sydney reporter Gus Macdonald revealed the allegation that “detectives were told players paid women inside the Pullman Hotel to ingest illicit substances off their bodies”.
Detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad have travelled to Sydney to interview witnesses including the five Swans players.
Nine.com.au is not suggesting any of the Swans players who are being questioned by police have been accused of sexual assault or charged, nor that they had cocaine in their possession or consumed an illicit substance.
A lawyer who said he is acting for the complainants went on 3AW radio on Friday morning to allege other Swans employees were inside the hotel room.
The Swans on Friday issued a statement refuting the claims.
“The Sydney Swans can confirm that all investigations carried out by the club have consistently indicated that the only representatives of the club in the room central to the police investigation were the five players who have been stood down,” it said.
“We have every reason to consider that reports to the contrary are simply false.
“We are respecting the process with the relevant authorities and will refrain from commenting on police matters. We would also like to take this opportunity to condemn some of the misinformation being reported and are now considering our legal position on those matters.”
Sponsors have begun to distance themselves from the Swans and from the players who have been stood down.
Swans coach Dean Cox addresses media. Nine
As a result of the ongoing investigation, Swans sponsors including Nike, Colgate and Volkswagen have distanced themselves from the players involved.
Nike said it was “deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations” and opted to pause its relationships with Heeney and Warner.
The popular apparel brand will still be front and centre on the Swans’ jerseys.
Heeney also had his book deal with publishing company Allen & Unwin paused.
The five players who will not feature for the rest of the 2026 season have been stood down in relation to breaching club standards, with former Swans captain Kieren Jack saying the “Bloods culture” has been left “broken”.
“Like so many people who love the Swans I am devastated, disappointed and very troubled by the actions that took place over the weekend,” he wrote on Instagram.
“My thoughts are with the women involved and I truly hope they are being supported. Wearing red and white was one of the proudest achievements of my life. It was a privilege to represent. ‘Bloods culture’ was spoken about. This was built and maintained through a core pillar of respect.
“Respect for each other, respect for the club, your family, the opponent, the supporters and importantly, the community.
“Right now this feels broken. A lack of respect cannot be tolerated. Being a bystander is not an option. If you love the Swans ... it is time to stand up.”
