Fan’s banner removed by SCG security during Sydney Swans’ AFLW win over Essendon

Sydney Swans fans came out in droves to support the AFLW team on Sunday ahead of the men’s team’s first match since five teammates were suspended for the rest of the AFL season for breaching club standards.

The women’s team opened Sydney’s first SCG double-header with a 9.12 (66) to 6.6 (42) win over Essendon in front of 16,672 fans — more than double the Swans’ previous record AFLW crowd.

It marked a bright spot at the end of a difficult week for the club, with the crowd building ahead of the AFL clash with North Melbourne later on Sunday afternoon.

The men’s team will take the field without banned quintet Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon.

The Swans’ club-imposed bans are independent of a police investigation. 7NEWS is not suggesting any wrongdoing, and none of the players have been interviewed, arrested or charged by police.

As the fallout continues in the background, attention turned back to football on Sunday.

Fans arrived early at the SCG and some quickly unfurled banners to support the club.

“Be confident. Be courageous. Stand proud even when it hurts,” one read.

But one banner with more blunt language was quickly removed by security.

The Reddit user who posted the photos wrote: “Well that banner didn’t last long ... barely even three minutes before security came over and took it away.”

Some Sydney fans threatened to walk out of the SCG after the AFLW game but a large crowd built throughout ahead of the men’s clash.

“We weren’t sure what we were expecting but to see the support we’ve received today is just unbelievable,” AFLW captain Lucy McEvoy told Fox Sports after full-time.

“Our members and fans are so tight, they know we’re united as a club and we’re better than what we were at the start of the week.

“I’m just so grateful to have the support we do today and the girls were able to turn it on for them today, so it was really good.”