Hundreds of Sydney Swans fans walked out of the Sydney Cricket Ground during a historic double-header on Sunday, protesting a scandal that has impacted Australian football. This exodus occurred after the Sydney AFLW team's match, and before the men's side played its regular season closer.
Five AFL players – Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, and James Jordon – have been stood down by the Swans for the remainder of the season. The club stated this was due to breaches of their standards, including drinking and bringing women back to their hotel after a recent win against Essendon. Victoria police are also investigating an alleged sexual assault at a Pullman hotel in East Melbourne on 17 August, where the team was staying.
Despite the controversy, the AFLW match between Sydney and Essendon drew a record crowd for the Swans, with 16,672 spectators. Sydney's women's team secured a 24-point victory over the Bombers. Some fans at the AFLW game displayed signs supporting women, including one that read: “The Swans are nothing without W.”
The double-header marked the first time Sydney's AFLW and AFL teams shared the SCG stage. However, the absence of prominent players like Heeney, Warner, and Blakey from merchandise and posters around the ground was noticeable. A banner reading “no more dickheads please” was also removed by security during the AFLW game.