Many Sydney Swans fans have walked out of the SCG before the men’s final home game of the regular season as the club continues to deal with the fallout from its Melbourne hotel scandal.  

Hundreds of supporters left the ground after the Swans’ AFLW side defeated Essendon by 24 points on Sunday.  

The walkout came during a historic double-header at the SCG, with Sydney’s women playing before the men faced North Melbourne.  

Supporters held signs backing women during the AFLW match.  

One read: “The Swans are nothing without W”. 

The five players at the centre of the controversy are Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon.  

The Swans ruled them out for the rest of the season after determining their behaviour following the club’s round 23 win over Essendon had breached its standards. 

Posters around the SCG that would normally feature Heeney had also been replaced.  

Others simply displayed the word “SWANS”.  

A banner reading “no more di**heads please” was also removed by SCG security during the AFLW match.  

The message appeared to reference the Swans’ former “no di**heads” recruiting philosophy.  

The approach became closely associated with coach Paul Roos and the club’s so-called “Bloods culture”.  

The Swans have repeatedly stressed the importance of their standards and culture during the fallout. 

But reminders of the men’s controversy were difficult to avoid.  

Swans merchandise featuring Heeney, Warner and Blakey was noticeably absent from stands inside the ground.  

The trio are among the club’s most recognisable players and have previously featured prominently across official merchandise and promotional material.  

The five suspended players have also apologised to their teammates, families, supporters and the wider club community.  

The incident has come at a difficult time for the Swans’ women’s program.  

The club had hoped the historic SCG double-header would provide an opportunity to showcase the women’s side alongside the men.  

Instead, the men’s team entered its final regular-season match under intense scrutiny.  

Victoria Police is investigating an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel in the early hours of August 17.  

The Swans players had been staying at the hotel after their victory over the Bombers.  

No one has been arrested or charged in connection with the alleged incident.  

The circumstances surrounding the investigation remain subject to police inquiries. 

News24.com.au is not suggesting any of the other players have committed a criminal offence.