Swans Staff Give Police Statements; Heeney Fired from Camp

Four Sydney Swans officials have given statements to police in a sexual-assault investigation that also sees Isaac Heeney removed from his role at 5th Quarter Camps. The club has suspended five players, including Heeney, for the rest of the season after a night of misconduct following a win over Essendon.

Police Statements from Swans Officials

Four Swans staff members - senior coach Dean Cox, football boss Leon Cameron, head of player wellbeing and development Brett Kirk and head of media and communications Tom Chadwick - have given statements to Victoria Police as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel. The statements were recorded after the five players were stood down for the remainder of the season.

Heeney Removed from 5th Quarter Camps

5th Quarter Camps, a business that runs football camps for children and in which Isaac Heeney is a shareholder, issued a statement saying it was aware of the police investigation. "Although the investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been laid, given the circumstances and the seriousness of the matter, we can confirm Isaac Heeney will no longer have any involvement in 5th Quarter Camps," the camp said.

Club-Imposed Suspensions

The Swans suspended five players - Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon - after they were found to have breached the club’s behavioural standards. The incident involved drinking, staying out late and inviting women back to the team hotel following the Swans’ round 23 win over Essendon. The five players were also banned from the Brownlow Medal count for the season, but remain eligible to win the award.

AFL Response

AFL boss Andrew Dillon said the league would not open its own investigation until the police probe was finished. "Those matters at the moment are under police investigation, so the AFL won’t be conducting any of its own inquiries until after the police investigation is finished," Dillon told reporters. He added that the Swans would decide whether the players could still win the club best and fairest.

Current Status

No charges have been laid and a source with knowledge of the investigation said the players deny criminal wrongdoing. The Swans declined to comment further, citing the ongoing inquiry. The police investigation remains focused on an alleged sexual assault that took place in the early hours of Monday morning at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel.

Conclusion

The Swans’ actions - suspending players, removing Heeney from the camp and cooperating with police - reflect the club’s attempt to address the allegations while awaiting the outcome of the police investigation. The AFL will conduct its own inquiries only after the police case is concluded.