Swans Fans Walk Out of SCG Double-Header as Scandal Overshadows Landmark Day
Hundreds of Sydney Swans fans walked out of the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday before the men's match against North Melbourne, in protest at a scandal that has shaken the club to its foundations. They left after watching the AFLW side beat Essendon by 24 points in front of a record crowd of 16,672 for a Swans women's game — the first time Sydney's AFLW and AFL teams had shared a double-header at the SCG. The Guardian
The walkout followed one of the most damaging weeks in the club's history. Five AFL players — Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon — were stood down for the rest of the season after breaching club standards, including drinking and bringing women back to their hotel following a round 23 win over Essendon. None have been arrested or charged.
Victoria Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault reported to have occurred early on 17 August at the Pullman hotel in East Melbourne, where the Swans were staying. Police have warned media about coverage of the matter.
The five players issued a statement saying they were "deeply sorry." The Swans confirmed on their own website that none of the five would be considered for selection for the remainder of the season. Sydney Swans
At the SCG, the scale of fan anger was visible. A banner reading "no more dickheads please" — an apparent reference to the club's famous "no dickheads" recruiting policy under former coach Paul Roos — was removed by security during the AFLW game. Other fans held signs supporting women, including one that read "The Swans are nothing without W." Large posters around the ground that would normally feature Isaac Heeney had been replaced with images of men's captain Callum Mills or simply the word "SWANS."
The club had largely put on hold plans to heavily promote the double-header, the Swans confirmed. What was meant to be a celebration of both programs sharing the same stage became something else entirely.
For the AFLW side, though, the day delivered. A record home crowd of 16,672 came through the gates and watched a 24-point win over Essendon. That the crowd then thinned so visibly before the men's bounce told its own story about where supporters drew the line.
Lifelong female Swans supporters had spoken publicly in the days before the match about wrestling with whether to attend at all. The Guardian The walkout was their answer, delivered in real time at the turnstiles.
