Sydney Swans Players Face No Charges Over Pullman Hotel Incident
Victoria Police will not charge four Sydney Swans players over an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel, citing insufficient evidence. Lawyers for three women say civil lawsuits will continue, and the club says its own review of its AFL program has begun.
Four Sydney Swans players will not face criminal charges over an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel, Victoria Police confirmed on November 13, 2026. Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Nick Blakey had been under investigation over an incident at the Pullman Hotel in late August.
The decision ends the police inquiry. It does not end the matter. Lawyers for three women said they are still pursuing civil lawsuits.
Police cite insufficient evidence
A Victoria Police spokesperson said: "Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence." Police said they would make no further comment because of an "ongoing civil matter".
Another Swans player who was also stood down for breaching club standards was cleared earlier in the investigation.
The incident at the East Melbourne hotel followed the Swans' win against Essendon on August 17. Several adult entertainers are understood to have joined players there after being hired in the hours after the game.
The investigation is understood to have centred on a player allegedly touching one of the women without her consent. A woman is understood to have been seen leaving the hotel room in a distressed state in the early hours of the morning. A Triple Zero (000) call was made to police soon after.
Club and players respond
Heeney welcomed the outcome. He said the past three months had been "incredibly difficult" for his family.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich told a press conference it had been a difficult period for everyone involved and affected. "Today's a moment for them to move forward," he said. He added that the players would at some point be "back here at training, back with their teammates".
The club sidelined the players in the days after the incident for staying out late drinking and inviting women back to the team hotel, in breach of club standards. A club statement said that decision was separate from the police investigation and that the club stands by it, "because their conduct fell short of the standards of behaviour expected at the club".
The Swans have also begun what they call a comprehensive examination of their AFL program. The statement said the club is committed to acting on the findings and implementing "meaningful change".
Blakey moved from the Swans to North Melbourne last month. He apologised for "the events that led up to my exit from Sydney". He said at the time: "I know I have to win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise."
Civil claims continue
Lawyers representing one of the women who alleges she was sexually assaulted said she was "devastated" by the decision. Slater and Gordon lawyer Jackson Pannam said what had occurred had a "profound impact" on her.
The three women are still pursuing civil lawsuits related to the allegations, their lawyers confirmed. Victoria Police said it would not comment further while that civil matter is ongoing.
