Allegations multiple acts of sexual assault took place in Swans hotel scandal
At least one of the women at the centre of an investigation involving Sydney Swans players at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel has claimed multiple incidents of sexual assault took place.
Law firm Slater and Gordon, who represent at least one of the women involved, said on Saturday that their client reported multiple incidents of sexual assault to police.
The Pullman hotel in Melbourne. The Age
It’s alleged three women were engaged by the Swans players and their friends during a night of partying following the side’s round 23 win over Essendon.
Last Monday morning, they reported to Victoria Police that sexual acts beyond what they were paid to perform took place.
In the aftermath of the partying, Sydney stood down players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon for the remainder of the 2026 season, including finals.
Nine.com.au is not suggesting that the players committed the alleged acts, only that they were stood down following the late night partying.
“Our client has had her entire world turned upside down and is now trying to navigate an incredibly traumatic experience,” senior lawyer for Slater and Gordon Jackson Pannam said on Saturday.
“Everyone deserves to be safe going about their life, at home, at work, and in public spaces without risk of being assaulted or harmed.
“We’re standing with our client to give her support at this difficult time, and to help her get the justice she deserves.”
Slater and Gordon told Nine.com.au on Monday morning that they had nothing to add to their Saturday statement.
Carbone Lawyers’ John Karantzis, the lawyer representing two of the women involved, has claimed that Sydney officials were in the room alongside the five players across the Monday morning partying.
The Swans have categorically denied this.
“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,” the club said in a statement.
“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.”
Victoria Police have stated they will not be providing a running commentary on the case.
As of Sunday, the Swans have stated that no member of their organisation has been spoken to by police detectives.
A young Swans fan holding a sign saying “support women” on Sunday. Nine
One of the alleged victims told News Corp on Thursday that there were as many as nine men in the room across the night.
Carbone Lawyers have launched legal action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the club and the five players. This is separate to the ongoing criminal investigation.
Sydney played their first game without the five players on Sunday, comfortably defeating North Melbourne.
They now have a week off before hosting Brisbane in a qualifying final at the SCG.
Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel believes the Swans showed against the Roos that they aren’t yet out of the premiership hunt, but it will be an uphill battle without three of their superstars.
“It’s going to be very difficult for them to win the flag, losing the calibre of those players, but what it showed yesterday that they have an amazing amount of depth,” Bartel told Nine’s Today.
“They’ve got plenty of young guys who can step up to the plate and they filled the void against a disappointing North Melbourne who didn’t have much to play for.
“They’ve still got a lot of talent, Charlie Curnow winning his third Coleman Medal, Errol Gulden is in great form, their backline is solid.
“They’re still going to take some beating, but they’re clearly not at full strength.”
