Sydney's banned five due back as Swans season ends
Sydney's five stood-down players were due back at the Swans for the first time in more than a month on the morning of September 23, 2026.
Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner had not been at the club since August after Sydney banned them for the rest of the season. Their return coincides with end-of-season exit meetings, the one-on-one reviews clubs hold with every player once their campaign is over. Coach Dean Cox arrived early at the club's Moore Park base ahead of those meetings, according to ABC News.
The five were stood down for breaching club standards following a post-match party at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne. Sydney confirmed the names and the ban in an official statement titled 'Sanctioned players statement' on August 19. The club said the players would not be considered for selection for the rest of the period covered by the statement.
The suspensions are separate from a police investigation into sexual assault allegations linked to the same venue. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the five suspended players. No charges have been laid, and Victoria Police is not expected to provide an update until late October.
The players are expected to address the Swans playing group at some point as part of the return. Chief executive Matthew Pavlich and Cox are overseeing the process at the club.
It has been a painful stretch for Sydney. Cox and captain Callum Mills fronted the media after the bans were announced and apologised for the actions of the players, as reported by AFL.com.au. Cox later told supporters the club would do whatever it could to win back their trust after some fans left the SCG before a match in protest.
Cox said in early September he had not spoken with the banned players, in an interview reported by Fox Sports. Since then, reports have linked the five with interest from rival AFL clubs.
For fans, this means the next step is internal. No football to decide. Just meetings, a conversation with teammates, and a long wait for the police process to run its course.
