A 31-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was hired as a topless waitress for a private post-game victory party at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne on 17 August. The following day she made an official police statement claiming she was sexually assaulted during the event and has retained a civil lawyer with the intention of suing those involved. The club has stood down five players - Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice - for the remainder of the 2026 season. The suspensions were issued for a breach of team rules about staying out late and drinking, not for the assault allegations; all players deny wrongdoing in that regard.

The woman says she comes from a well-known family with direct links to a former Deputy Prime Minister and a High Court judge who changed Australian law. She told reporters that her great-grandfather was a High Court judge and that she hopes to become a police officer. She added that her father, who was shocked when the allegations first surfaced, has since supported her decision to speak out. She has worked in the sex industry for more than a decade, performing stripping, OnlyFans content and adult-movie roles, and has never felt forced to hide her work. She said she earns $1,500-$2,000 per night at strip clubs and that her OnlyFans subscription income now dominates her earnings, with $30,000 in the first month and $3,000 every six months from royalties.

The club’s investigation found that the players had breached standards by staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel early on Monday morning. The club has stated that the players were not involved in any sexual conduct beyond their contractual role as topless waitresses. Meanwhile, the three women who were present on the night have faced backlash online, with many fans questioning the validity of their claims and accusing them of trying to cash in on the AFL players’ fortunes.

Legal representation is involved on both sides. The women are represented by Carbone Lawyers, while the club has engaged Slater & Gordon. Slater & Gordon’s Jackson Pannam said the firm had been asked to determine if there was a basis for a civil claim and that the new allegation has been reported to police. The club remains under investigation, and the players’ suspensions will remain in place until the matter is resolved.