Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon arrived at the Royal Hall of Industries in the Entertainment Quarter shortly after 5 p.m., escorted in two cars, and faced a waiting media pack that had been camped outside since the morning.
The players offered only brief comments: Warner said he was “just here for my exit interview,” while Heeney added he was “looking forward to addressing the playing group.” No further remarks were made about the incident that led to their club‑imposed suspensions.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich explained that the meetings are standard end‑of‑season reviews between coaching staff and individual players, and that the club wants the athletes to be themselves during the process.
The suspensions, announced last month, barred the five from the remainder of the AFL season, causing them to miss the final home‑and‑away game against North Melbourne, the qualifying‑final win over Brisbane, and the preliminary‑final loss to Fremantle.
The club‑imposed bans are separate from a Victoria Police investigation into alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel. No charges have been laid, and police have confirmed that Riley Bice is no longer a person of interest.
AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley said the league is not involved in the Swans’ internal handling of the players and that the matter remains a legal issue for the police. He added that the Swans will decide when, if at all, the players return to pre‑season training after the trade period.
Industry sources indicated that Nick Blakey is unlikely to request a trade until the police investigation provides more clarity, while Chad Warner has not contemplated a trade and will remain a restricted free agent through the 2027 season.