![\"Pullman\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4a85c8e8-c573-41e0-876a-95a6564cd546.jpg\")
The Swans stayed the night at the Pullman in East Melbourne after their win over Essendon. (Jay Kogler\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\nSeveral Sydney Swans players are being investigated over an alleged sexual assault at a hotel in Melbourne, leaving the AFL club “shocked and disappointed”.<\/p>\n
Victoria Police attended the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne on Monday and said they were investigating a report of sexual assault in the early hours of the morning.<\/p>\n
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich on Monday afternoon confirmed some of the club’s players had been involved in an “alleged incident” but refused to say whether any had been arrested.<\/p>\n
The Swans stayed the night at the Pullman in East Melbourne after their win over Essendon. (Jay Kogler\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n
The Swans stayed at the hotel on Sunday night after their 36-point win over Essendon at the MCG. That victory locked in second place on the AFL ladder and a home qualifying final.<\/p>\n
On Monday afternoon, Pavlich addressed the media in Sydney.<\/p>\n
“We can confirm that several players were involved in an alleged incident last night in Melbourne,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’ve identified this to the AFL that we are working with them and also the relevant authorities on this matter.<\/p>\n
“We’re still piecing together exactly what’s transpired here and have our own set of internal inquiries ongoing. <\/p>\n
“But safe to say that we’re extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place and that the players have found themselves in this situation. <\/p>\n
“We understand the level of interest in the matter and there’d be lots of speculation, but given it’s a police matter right now, that is all that we can say.”<\/p>\n
Sydney CEO Matthew Pavlich discusses sexual assault allegations against the club’s players. (Darren Walton\/AAP VIDEO)<\/p>\n
Pavlich was then asked whether anyone had been arrested.<\/p>\n
“As I said, it’s a police matter ongoing. I’m not going to comment any further on it right now,” he said.<\/p>\n
Police had earlier confirmed they were investigating a report of sexual assault.<\/p>\n
“Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault in East Melbourne on 17 August,” Victoria Police said in a statement provided to AAP.<\/p>\n
“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of the morning. <\/p>\n
“The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”<\/p>\n
The news has rocked premiership fancies Sydney as the Swans gear up for an AFL finals campaign.<\/p>\n
The Swans play North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday, then have a week off before a home qualifying final.<\/p>\n
As of Monday afternoon, no players had been charged in regards to the investigation.<\/p>\n
The Swans and the AFL will face a decision on whether to stand down the players allegedly involved.<\/p>\n
Unlike the NRL, the AFL does not have a strict no-fault stand-down policy on players charged with offences such as sexual assault.<\/p>\n
But the AFL stood down Geelong’s Tanner Bruhn, who ultimately had sexual assault charges dropped, for the entire 2025 season while his case was in court.<\/p>\n
Bruhn, who always maintained his innocence, returned to play this year.<\/p>\n
AAP has contacted the AFL for comment.<\/p>\n
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)<\/p>\n
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028<\/p>\n