As the Sydney Swans attempt to close a dark chapter in their history, CEO Matthew Pavlich says it is not a day to celebrate, despite the fact police have cleared Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and the recently departed Nick Blakey of sexual assault allegations.
Pavlich said the club still needed to “get better”, and it was still reviewing its men’s program in the wake of the events that rocked the AFL and resulted in five players being banned for the finals.
He said Sydney stood by the suspension of the players at the centre of the Pullman Hotel allegations, and again stressed the ban was purely over a breach of standards of behaviour.
“We acknowledge today that the Victoria Police investigation is now concluded, and that no Sydney Swans player has been charged,” Pavlich told reporters on Friday.
“Back in August, we sanctioned the five players as a result of breaching the standards of behavior that we expect of everyone here at the football club. Importantly at the outset, we separated that from the police investigation, and we stand by that decision.
“As detailed last week to you all, we’ve begun a thorough analysis and examination of the men’s footy program.
“We’re well advanced through that process. We have the help of some independent advisers, and we are hopeful that that’ll be finalised by the end of the year with some really important changes and recommendations to that program.”
Pavlich said it was time to look forward and welcome back Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Riley Bice back (who was earlier cleared by police and was considered a witness of the events) to the club.
“We’ve been in constant contact with the players through the whole process. I think they realise that today’s a moment for them to move forward,” he said.
“It’s a time for everyone to move forward, and at some point they’ll be back here in training and back in with their teammates, and that’s going to be an important step.”
Pavlich still acknowledged, however, that the club’s program needed “to get better”.
“That’s the absolute express focus of us right now,” he said.
“This is not a day for anyone to really celebrate. We’re still looking very hard at the program and understanding where we need to get better for the future and examining that in really thorough detail.
“So for us it’s ‘there’s work to be done,’ a lot of work to be done, but we’re up for that work.
“And I can guarantee everyone out there that we’ll be doing everything we can to restore the standards and behaviors that this club has held for a very long time.”
Pavlich said the club had been through “a really difficult period” and it was “deeply sorry to fans, members, and corporate partners”.
“But I think they’ve been riding that journey with us, and the foundations of this football club are really strong,” he said.
“Have we made mistakes? Do we need to get better? Absolutely, and we will. But today’s an opportunity to move forward.”
In a statement on Friday, the AFL backed the season-ending bans it endorsed.
“Respect and accountability are standards which are fundamental to maintaining trust in the game, and everyone connected with it has a responsibility to uphold its values,” the league said.
“The AFL recognises the importance of continuing to strengthen the game’s culture, education, and player accountability.
“The AFL reserves the right to investigate if any further relevant information comes to light.”
Warner also issued a statement and is already looking forward to 2027.
“I am glad the matter is now resolved and I was always confident of the outcome,” the star midfielder said.
“It has been a stressful time for myself and those close to me, particularly my partner Alice.
“I will not be making any further comments from here and will be focusing on my football and playing for the Sydney Swans in 2027.”
Heeney said the past three months had been “incredibly difficult” for his family and Steffie Waters (it is unclear if he has separated from his fiancee, Waters).
“Watching my family carry the weight of this has been heartbreaking,” Heeney said.
“To my family and friends, your love and loyalty has meant more than words can do justice.
“To those that have never doubted me and stood by my side in solidarity — thank you. I know it has not been easy in the face of such intense public scrutiny. I will never forget your support.
“To the entire Sydney Swans club — my teammates, coaches, the board, our sponsors, and our loyal members and fans — thank you for keeping faith in me.
“The Swans have given me an opportunity to live out a childhood dream and I am fully focused on repaying that faith by being the best person and player I can be.”
A timeline of the Sydney debacle since the Round 23 clash
August 16: Sydney beat Essendon at the MCG, confirming second spot on the ladder and a home qualifying final with one game left in the regular season. It is a twilight match, so the Swans stay overnight at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel, at the AFL’s expense. Coach Dean Cox gives his players the night off and tells them to enjoy themselves, within reason.
August 17: approximately 4am - after returning to the Pullman, Sydney players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon, plus former Swans teammate Taylor Adams and one other man, gather in a player’s hotel room with female adult entertainers for a party. Fellow Sydney player Nick Blakey has said he joined them, but then left.
Approximately 7am: There is a commotion in the foyer of the Pullman, with at least two of the women seen arguing with Swans officials, including Cox.
Midday: As Victoria Police investigate at the hotel, Sydney release a two-line statement, confirming “an alleged incident in Melbourne last night”.
Police confirm they are investigating a report of sexual assault.
Heeney reports to a police station in Melbourne, but is not asked to give a statement. He and the four teammates involved in the scandal are driven back to Sydney that night, while their teammates fly back as normal.
In Sydney, Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich confirms an “alleged incident”, adding: “safe to say that we’re extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place and that the players have found themselves in this situation.”
August 19: Sydney suspend the five players for the rest of the season, for breaching club standards and behaviours. Club chairman Andrew Pridham said it “torpedoes” their premiership chances for this season. The players release a joint statement, apologising and accepting their bans. The AFL rule the players out of All-Australian selection for the season.
August 20: Pavlich apologises to Sydney fans, urging them to stick with the club.
August 21: Sydney coach Dean Cox and captain Callum Mills face the media. There are reports that Heeney and Warner have lost sponsorship deals because of the scandal.
August 22: Lawyers for a woman involved in the hotel incident say she has suffered an “incredibly traumatic experience” and is considering civil action.
August 23: Sydney’s AFLW team beat Essendon in an historic club double header at the SCG, while the undermanned Swans AFL side beat North Melbourne - the first games since the scandal unfolded.
August 24: AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon launches the finals series in Melbourne with a strongly worded statement about the Swans scandal, saying respect for women is non-negotiable. Dillon also confirms the five players will not be invited to the Brownlow Medal count and denies the league has a culture problem.
Sydney assistant Mark McVeigh is confirmed as Essendon’s new senior coach
Early September: speculation grows that Blakey wants a trade
September 2: Victoria Police confirm detectives have travelled to NSW to interview four men over sexual assault allegations. Three other men believed to be in the hotel room were also interviewed as witnesses.
September 5: Mills ruptures his ACL in the qualifying final against Brisbane. Sydney stun the reigning premiers with a shock win.
September 18: Fremantle end Sydney’s season, rallying in the last quarter to win their SCG preliminary final.
September 21: Heeney finishes equal-eighth in the Brownlow.
September 23: The five players are at Sydney’s headquarters for the first time since the club banned them, for their season exit interviews.
October 1: Heeney wins Sydney’s best-and-fairest award. He and the other four players do not attend the function. Heeney is given a standing ovation by some of the audience.
October 9: After meeting with several clubs, Blakey confirms North Melbourne as his preferred trade destination.
October 13: Blakey is traded to North in a blockbuster deal that makes him one of the AFL’s highest-paid players. His father John played for the Kangaroos.
November 13: Heeney, Warner, Jordon, Blakey are cleared by Victoria Police after a 10-week investigation. Police said no criminal charges would be laid due to insufficient evidence. Police also confirmed a civil matter is ongoing.
- With AAP
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