Sydney players shed tears after emotional week ends in victory over North Melbourne

Emotion has spilled over amongst Sydney players after completing the darkest week in club history with an inspired win over North Melbourne , despite a boycott from some fans that walked out before the game.

The Swans were without Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordan and Riley Bice due to their involvement in the alleged sexual assault scandal that has engulfed the club since the events of Monday morning at a Melbourne hotel, which remain under investigation by Victoria Police.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Swans fans divided as alleged sexual assault scandal sparks SCG walkout

And yet despite admitting to have effectively “torpedoed” their own season by handing down the club-imposed bans that will see the group of five miss the remainder of the year, an undermanned Sydney outfit rallied to thump North Melbourne to the tune of 53 points at the SCG on Sunday afternoon.

“They’re on their feet here at the SCG, they haven’t shied away from this venue this afternoon,” Jess Webster said on Fox Sports.

“They showed up in record numbers to support the AFLW team earlier today — 16,000 came early and doubled the previous record for an AFLW home game.

“Very emotional scenes here at the SCG on what has been a very dark and difficult week for the football club.

“The deeper conversations with continue, but for now, they’ve found a football response this afternoon, and they gave their fans something to believe in.”

Skipper Callum Mills, who earlier this week fronted a press conference alongside coach Dean Cox expressing the club’s remorse, was visibly in tears on the sidelines as he hugged club great Brett Kirk on the siren.

Star midfielder Errol Gulden also shed a tear as the pressure of the emotion-charged match was released.

Asked after the game how he was feeling, Mills said: “I don’t know, to be honest. I’m so grateful for our fans who stuck with us and how we stayed so united as a club this week, I’m really proud of that.

“They do it for us every week, but this week felt a little bit extra special.”

Mills the players who came into the side to replace the suspended five acquitted themselves brilliantly.

“We talked about it as a team. We have a system that we believe in and whoever plays will come in and do it, and today was proof of that.”