Swans Players Cleared by Police After Melbourne Hotel Inquiry
Victoria Police will not charge Sydney Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon, or North Melbourne's Nick Blakey, over a night with dancers at a Melbourne hotel, citing insufficient evidence. Lawyers for the women say civil claims will go ahead.
Victoria Police have cleared Sydney Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon, and North Melbourne recruit Nick Blakey, over a night with three dancers at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel. The decision on November 13, 2026 ends a criminal inquiry that had run for almost three months, in which the swans players cleared police scrutiny without any charge being laid.
Two sources with knowledge of the investigation, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said police told the parties they did not have enough evidence to proceed.
Police then issued a five-line statement once the women had been told the outcome.
"Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence," it said. Police added that they could not comment further because of an ongoing civil matter.
Heeney responds
Heeney put out his own statement straight away. "I welcome today's announcement from Victoria Police," he said.
He said the past three months had been "incredibly difficult" for his family. "Watching my family carry the weight of this has been heartbreaking," he said, adding that he was focused on repaying the Swans' faith in him.
The players have maintained their innocence and denied any criminal wrongdoing over the alleged incident, which happened in a hotel suite in the pre-dawn hours of August 17.
What happened that night
The men engaged three exotic dancers to perform in one of the players' rooms after the Swans' round 23 win against Essendon. In separate statements to police, each woman variously alleged she was sexually assaulted and touched inappropriately without consent.
Swans player Riley Bice, his now-retired teammate Taylor Adams and an unnamed man were also in the room. Police had already told them they were being treated only as witnesses.
Civil claims continue
Each of the three women has hired lawyers to pursue possible civil action against the men, and that process is still unfolding.
John Karantzis of Carbone Lawyers, who acts for two of the women, said they would press on. "Criminal prosecution has a very high standard of burden of proof that is beyond a reasonable doubt," he said. Civil claims for personal injury are judged on the balance of probabilities, he said.
"Our clients will vigorously fight and proceed with their claims," Karantzis said.
Carbone has sent letters to the players setting out the women's intention to take legal action. The letters included a draft statement of claim and an offer to begin talks between the parties.
The other firm involved, Slater and Gordon, said its client was "devastated" by the outcome. Senior lawyer Jackson Pannam said she reported the incident immediately, gave a formal statement and cooperated fully with police.
