The eerie scene among fans at the stadium following the shocking scandal involving five Sydney Swans players
Sydney Swans fans have voted with their feet on one of the biggest days in the history of the embattled club.
Fans flocked to the SCG early ahead of the club’s AFL Women’s team’s clash with Essendon.
It is the first time the Swans have staged a double header with the AFL men’s team also facing North Melbourne in their final regular season match from 3.20pm.
There were reports last week some fan groups were set to boycott the event in response to five players being stood down for breaching the club’s standard of behaviour during a late night of partying, drinking and bringing women back to their Pullman Hotel following the club’s win over Essendon on Sunday.
It is alleged five Swans players — Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice — were present inside a hotel room when a woman claims she was sexually assaulted.
The alleged incident remains under investigation by Victoria Police’s Sexual Crimes Squad.
While many fans have flocked to talkback radio and social media to convey their disgust and sense of betrayal towards those five players, Sydney’s AFL Women’s captain Lucy McEvoy made a passionate plea for fans to come along and support them.
Swans team huddle during the AFLW match between the Sydney Swans and Essendon Bombers at the SCG on August 23, 2026. Photo by Phil Hillyard. ( Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – NO ON SALES – copyright Phil Hillyard )
Swans fans queue up to enter the SCG early. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
McEvoy said the club is united across its men’s and women’s team with the decision to suspend the so-called “Hotel Five” for the remainder of the season.
Swans men’s captain Callum Mills also made a private and public apology to the AFL Women’s squad.
The swirling drama had potential to cause drama outside the stadium, but Swans supporters have shown up to watch the AFL Women’s game, which began from 12.30pm.
Eerie scene as Swans fans make statement
There was a noticeable cheer from the crowd as the ball was about to be tossed up for the first time in the centre circle.
Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood called it a “warm start” to the game.
While there were many empty seats with the early timeslot, the cheer made it seem like the stadium was half full.
The Swans are hopeful a record crowd of 10,000 will watch the game.
“It is electric if you’re a Sydney Swans fan,” Fox Footy sideline reporter Alexia Pesce said.
“The crowd is going bananas and they have been from the very first moment.”
Football star’s powerful statement
Chloe Dalton speaks on Sports Sunday. Photo: Channel 9.
Former AFL Women’s star Chloe Dalton has spoken passionately to urge supporters to flock to the SCG to watch the Swans’ Round 2 game against the Bombers.
“As a women’s player, when you walk into a football club, there are a lot of things that tell you it’s a space that has been built for men over a lot of years and you’re trying to prove you deserve to be here and you deserve to be invested in and when something like this happens within the four walls of your club, it feels really, really close to home,” Dalton told Nine’s WWOS.
“When I was at the Giants there was obviously the scandal around Mad Monday and the dress-ups that happened. As a playing group, we felt that really heavily and for me the Swans AFLW players have been really front of mind this week as it has transpired.
“I’m really hoping the general public in Sydney and Swans fans get around these AFLW players to show they’re backing them in.”
AFLW coach’s classy statement
Swans fans show their support during the round two AFLW match. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.
Sydney Swans AFLW senior coach Colin O’Riordan and captain McEvoy on Friday made a desperate plea for supporters to rock up and support the team.
“As a program, we fully support these sanctions,” O’Riordan said.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating these incredible women on Sunday the SCG and I encourage everyone, all our fans, to turn up and support them because these bunch of women deserve it.
“We touched on how they can be a beacon of light. They can be a beacon to every woman out there who wants to be them and they’re huge role models in the community. As Lucy said, come and support the team. They deserve it.”
McEvoy said she was “incredibly disappointed” with the five men’s players, but said she has not felt disrespected as a woman during her time at the club.
Most pointedly, she said she has not been contacted by any of the five Swans players involved. Mills earlier this week made a private apology to the women’s team on behalf of the mens’ program.
Despite this, she said the club is “united as one”.
“I strongly believe that we’ve deserved to have this opportunity to play on the SCG,” she said.
“It’s going to be really exciting and the group are pumped.”
SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU
https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/incredible-swans-scene-before-scg-blockbuster-as-star-makes-powerful-aflw-statement/news-story/71c690f22257c96415170eb2b264921b
