Sydney Swans captain Callum Mills issues apology to AFLW players

Callum Mills has apologised to the wider AFLW playing group on Tuesday as the investigation into sexual assault allegations against at least one of his teammates continues .

It’s understood Mills, Sydney’s sole captain since 2024, acknowledged the hurt the situation was causing some of the W players.

Mills spoke to the players as they were about to complete a skills session in an informal session after they were called into listen.

Earlier, Sydney’s chief operating officer Drew Arthurson addressed the women’s players in a more formal setting.

He answered questions from players and repeated a similar message to other key officials from Monday.

Arthurson stressed that these are just allegations, but the club is nevertheless treating them very seriously. Support was also offered to every player.

Sydney’s W team trained as normal ahead of this Sunday’s AFL men’s and women’s double header at the SCG.

It’s understood some members of the club’s AFLW playing cohort are angry and distressed by the allegations.

In conversations among the players on Tuesday, some questioned whether the players implicated — should charges be laid — will play for the Swans again.

On Tuesday night, Sydney released a statement which read in part: “We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a club.

“They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community.”

The Swans said they condemned “all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women”.

“Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe,” the statement said.

“The club believes the players are in serious breach of expected club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.”