‘Extremely disappointed’ AFLW skipper wants say on future of Swans five
Sydney AFLW captain Lucy McEvoy said she would “absolutely” want to be given input on whether or not the five men’s players at the centre of sexual assault allegations would be allowed to return to the club.
On Thursday, AFL legend Matthew Lloyd said he expected some, if not all five players would leave the club in the wake of the scandal, while leading journalist Jake Niall went as far as to say at least some of their careers could be over.
Sydney Swans AFLW Coach Colin O’Riordan and captain Lucy McEvoy spoke to media on Friday afternoon. Getty Images
McEvoy said the club was yet to address with the women’s group what any potential return might look like, but was hopeful it would do so “when the time is right”.
McEvoy fronted media outside Swans HQ on Friday afternoon alongside coach Colin O’Riordan, himself a former Swans player.
Both said they were fully supportive of the sanctions the club had imposed on the players so far. McEvoy added the women’s group had also felt “fully supported” by the club.
“We’re extremely disappointed with what’s occurred at the beginning of the week,” she said.
“We’ve had some really open conversations as a group … and with the club more broadly, and we’ve felt the support both internally and externally.
“The girls are working through their emotions as they see fit for themselves personally, and we wrap our arms around everyone as we do the whole club and community.”
McEvoy also praised the club for its transparent dialogue with the women’s group, which had also been directly addressed by men’s captain Callum Mills, and separately by coach Dean Cox and other senior figures.
She said Mills was “quite remorseful on behalf of the men’s program”.
“He’s a really classy human being, Millsy. The respect he has for us and the respect we have for him and the way he’s handled himself this week is second to none,” she said.
“We couldn’t have asked more from him as a captain of the men’s program, and we really appreciate him taking the time to wrap his arms around us as a football club.”
O’Riordan said the club remained “united” across the men’s and women’s programs, and would remain that way.
“We have taken a big (cultural) hit … we know we’re in a position where we have to repair a lot,” he said.
“Our trust is broken within a lot of people, but as a club, we’re incredibly united. I’ve seen it in the AFLW program coming across from the men’s. This is a united club – it always has been and always will be.”
The scandal has completely overshadowed the build up for what will be a historic double header at the SCG this Sunday, where the women will take on the Bombers before the men play North Melbourne.
A campaign for fans to support the women’s team, but boycott the following men’s match has been gaining momentum.
Both McEvoy and O’Riordan encouraged fans to attend the women’s game and try to break the attendance record, but stopped short of condemning the boycott.
“We had a good chat this morning as a group … this is a wider (than) football issue, but it was quite nice to talk about football and prepare these girls for what is going to be a huge game this weekend,” O’Riordan said.
“They can be a beacon of light to every woman out there who wants to be them, and they’re huge role models for so many women. That’s what we’re really leaning into this week.
“Come support the team and let them be the beacon of light. Rock up to the SCG and support them because they deserve it more than anyone.”
