Five Sydney Swans players have begun appointing different lawyers to represent them as police investigate the allegation of sexual assault at the Pullman East Melbourne that was made last month.
There are at least three separate counsels for the five players, whose interviews with Victoria Police loom after the alleged assault at the hotel where the Swans were staying for their round 23 clash with Essendon.
This masthead has previously reported at least one other allegation of sexual assault and multiple claims of sexual conduct without consent were made to police by three women at the centre of the investigation, though police have maintained the investigation is into โan allegation of sexual assaultโ.
The playersโ legal moves come as further details emerge about the early morning events at the hotel and how one of the women came to be in the foyer with Swans staff including coach Dean Cox.
Two sources with knowledge of the incident, but not authorised to speak publicly, said one of the adult entertainers had suffered an asthma attack after complaining of the lack of air in the cramped room filled with people.
After being unable to open a window, or find an asthma puffer, she retreated into the hall but could not get back into the room.
The woman then went downstairs in search of first aid equipment where Swans staff had begun gathering for checkout. She was seen in animated conversations with a confused Cox, which ultimately resulted in police being called.
The women were booked for topless waitressing on the night, with the men then requesting lap dances. The women told the group that would incur an extra cost of $250, which they negotiated down to $200.
The women gave statements to police in the day following the incidents but the five Swans โ Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice โ were told investigators were not ready to speak to them and allowed them to travel home to Sydney.
The five have denied any criminal wrongdoing, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
Separate to the police investigation, the players were suspended by the Swans for the rest of the season for drinking, staying out late and inviting women back to the team hotel โ a breach of the clubโs behavioural standards.
This masthead previously reported that detectives flew to Sydney to speak with staff including Cox, football boss Leon Cameron, head of player wellbeing and development Brett Kirk and head of media and communications Tom Chadwick, who all gave voluntary accounts.
The four Sydney staff were not in the hotel room and no Swans officials are accused of inappropriate behaviour.
As previously reported, former Pie and Swan Taylor Adams was at the hotel on the night, with another unknown man, but this masthead is not aware if Adams was there when a sexual assault is alleged to have occurred. He was contacted for comment, but did not respond.
The complex investigation is expected to drag on for weeks.
The most recent example of a similarly lengthy process was the affray case against Steven May and Dion Prestia. The former Demon and ex-Tiger were alleged to have been involved in a brawl in December 2024, but police worked on the case for 10 months before issuing charges. The case was abandoned, and the players cleared in May 2026.
The Swansโ menโs season continues on Saturday when they face the Brisbane Lions in a qualifying final in Sydney.
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Jake Niall is a Walkley award-winning sports journalist and chief AFL writer for The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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