Victoria Police issue warning to media over alleged sexual assault at Sydney Swans’ hotel

Sydney’s last premiership coach says there’s a deep sense of sadness at five Swans players being banned for breaching club standards. John Longmire, the Swans’ longest-serving coach, says the suspensions of the players is “flattening” for all involved.

Swans Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon were stood down for the rest of the season on Wednesday.

Victoria police have also said they are investigating an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne. None of the players stood down for breaching club standards have been arrested or charged with any offences.

Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives are expected to soon arrive in Sydney to further their investigations. The players are yet to be formally interviewed, but have apologised for their behaviour at the Melbourne hotel.

Longmire, who is currently the club’s executive director of club performance, said the on-field ramifications of banning the players wasn’t a priority for Swans hierarchy.

“It was just incredible deep sadness ... and that is probably where we’re still sitting,” he told Fox Footy on Wednesday night. “Football aspirations weren’t part of the discussions, they were very much in the background.

“At the forefront were other people issues – as they should have been. The people issues are the things that really led the discussions over the last few days ... the premiership discussions were at the very back-end of anything that was talked about.”

The governor general, Sam Mostyn, said she was “devastated for the women” affected by the alleged behaviour of Sydney Swans players. In remarks published by the ABC , Mostyn raised alarm at Australia’s “appalling statistics” on domestic and sexual violence against women. She said the allegation “shocked and troubled” her, adding:

“My thoughts remain with the alleged sexual assault victim, and I hope she is very well supported. I am also devastated for the women of the Swans … and women across the industry who have been hurt by this incident.

“Sadly, the lack of respect for women across the country remains an issue for us all to be concerned about, particularly in sport. … I note Australia still has appalling statistics when it comes to domestic and sexual violence against women.”

The second-placed Swans, with one home-and-away game remaining, are assured of hosting two finals as they seek to win the club’s first premiership since under Longmire in 2012.

“It’s flattening for a lot of people,” he said. “It’s a challenge for everybody to be able to get through and be able to put one foot in front of the other and get things right. We feel for everybody.”

Longmire was Sydney’s head coach from 2011 to 2024 after being an assistant from 2002.

“The culture of the footy club has taken a big hit and it will take time for everyone to rebuild the trust in the football club,” he said. “You go from shock and disappointment, maybe a bit of anger in that, you get a bit of those emotions.