Swans issue emotional apology, lift lid on ‘comprehensive examination’
The Sydney Swans have issued an apology in a letter to members after the Tom Papley roadside incident and detailed the work being done to address the club’s astonishing free fall.
Chairman Andrew Pridham and chief executive Matthew Pavlich shared an emotional 579-word message on Thursday afternoon, following the revelation that Papley on Monday allegedly tested positive to methamphetamine in a roadside drug test.
Sydney Swans star Tom Papley. AFL Photos
Papley was also hit with a court attendance notice for allegedly driving with a suspended licence, having not paid a parking fine.
The Papley incident comes less than three months after the Pullman Hotel scandal that triggered a Victoria Police investigation into allegations of sexual assault and led to Sydney suspending five players for the rest of the season. The police investigation remains ongoing.
“First and foremost, we wish to sincerely apologise for the distress recent incidents involving players from the club have caused our members, supporters, corporate partners, academy families, staff, athletes and their families, and the wider community. Our priority is care, respect and support for those affected,” the letter to members said.
“Many of you have shared your deep concerns with us. We take the concerns you have raised seriously. Our culture was built over many years through the values and actions of our people and in particular our players who held themselves to a high standard. That is why these events have cut so deeply, both inside the club and for everyone who cares about it.”
The letter said the board commissioned a “comprehensive examination” of the club’s AFL program in early September, the findings of which are expected to be in by the end of the year.
The letter described the process as a “thorough analysis of the current state” and said it was about “examining the environment required for long-term trust and success”.
“The core objective is to deliver recommendations and actions to achieve meaningful change wherever necessary,” the letter said.
Three “key phases” were set out, beginning with interviews with all AFL players and staff conducted by Pavlich and Cara Stanley, the club’s executive general manager – people.
The second phase concerned the club’s annual AFL end-of-season review.
The third phase, lastly, concerns a “board-endorsed independent process to provide advice on the club’s various protocols and programs and undertake broader club-wide engagement”. The review will involve AFL and AFLW players, staff, commercial teams and key stakeholders, and will be conducted by Intersection, led by advisor Natasha de Silva.
From left: James Jordon, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Riley Bice and Nick Blakey, the five players Sydney hit with season-ending bans. Nine
“What is already clear from our work to date is that the actions and attitudes of some within our club has damaged and diminished the many great things we do, and the great people who do them. This is unacceptable and must change,” the letter said.
“We have a long and proud history but clearly, we have work to do to get back to the standards we have long set. We will make the necessary changes that are required and will work to be better.
“The standards we expect of every player and employee, on and off the field, are central to who we are. They reflect the behaviour rightly expected of professional athletes and public role models. The incident involving Tom Papley this week and the separate incident in Melbourne in August fall a long way short of those expectations.
“We acknowledge the impact these mistakes are having on our AFLW players and staff, and they continue to have our full support.”
The letter urged fans to turn out for the AFLW team’s home elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich (left) and chairman Andrew Pridham. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
“Their success deserves celebration without distraction,” Pridham and Pavlich wrote.
“We encourage all members and supporters to get behind the team at Henson Park on Sunday in our first-ever home final and afford them the recognition they have earned.”
Pridham and Pavlich concluded by admitting “moving forward” would “take time”, and “every member of our community will process this in their own way”.
“Rebuilding trust will not come from our words, but rather our actions,” the letter said.
“We do not take your support for granted, and we are committed to doing the work required to uphold the values and standards we expect of everyone at the Sydney Swans.
“We look forward to keeping you informed.”
