During a significant double-header at the Sydney Cricket Ground, numerous Sydney Swans supporters exited in protest amid a scandal troubling Australian football.
Player Suspensions and Investigation
Five players from the AFL team – Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, and James Jordon – have been suspended for the remainder of the season for violating club standards, which included drinking and inviting women to their hotel following their round 23 victory over Essendon. The Victoria police are currently investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred early on August 17 at a Pullman hotel in East Melbourne, where the Swans were lodged.
Double-Header Matches
On Sunday, Sydney’s AFLW team faced Essendon at the SCG before the men’s team concluded its regular season against North Melbourne. After the women’s team triumphed over the Bombers by 24 points, a substantial number of Swans supporters left before the men’s match.
Leading up to the event, some long-time Swans supporters were debating whether to support the men’s team. Daniel, a member for 26 years, indicated he would attend both matches, stating, “I will be watching both. It’s ultimately a club. It’s ultimately both teams,”
Another member, Shayal, sensed a gloomy atmosphere on the light rail to the game and announced her plans to leave after the AFLW match. “I think it’s the fact that those five players are not out there which made me comfortable to stay to watch the men’s game.” she said. “I’m only planning to stay for the women’s game and then leaving before the men’s game,”
Record Attendance and Fan Reactions
The match attracted a record crowd for the Swans in the AFLW, with 16,672 attendees. This event marked the first occasion that Sydney’s AFLW and AFL teams shared a double-header at the SCG.
None of the five Swans players who were suspended have faced arrest or charges, and many details regarding the allegations remain unclear. At the AFLW match, some fans displayed signs advocating for women, including one that read: “I’ve been a member for over 10 years, and it just doesn’t feel right. And I’m not sure if I’ll renew my membership again.”
Inside the SCG, Swans supporters made a concerted effort to vocally cheer for each goal, positive play, or significant action from their AFLW team.
However, merchandise stands and the fan gear worn by supporters during the women’s match served as a reminder of the events off the field this week. There was no presence of Swans star Heeney or popular players like Warner and Blakey in the merchandise available or on T-shirts and hats worn by fans clad in red and white. Large posters typically featuring Heeney have been replaced with posters of men’s captain Callum Mills or simply “The Swans are nothing without W.” in bold letters.
A banner reading “no more dickheads please” was taken down by SCG security during the AFLW match. This banner seemed to reference Sydney’s “no dickheads” recruitment policy from the era of former coach Paul Roos, part of the club’s well-known “bloods culture.”
Additional reporting by Martin Pegan
