Sydney Swans players face Brownlow Medal ban amid suspension

Five Swans players are barred from attending the Brownlow while still eligible for the award.

Told by Jake Donovan · 24 August 2026

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has made it official: the five Sydney Swans players suspended for the remainder of the season will not be attending the prestigious Brownlow Medal count. Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, and James Jordon are currently under club suspension, but surprisingly, they can still vie for the award itself.

Dillon clarified that invitations for the Brownlow will be issued soon, but these players will not be on the list. "They are still eligible for the Brownlow, but they’re under a club suspension, which goes until the end of the season," he stated. This decision follows the club's announcement of sanctions after the players reportedly spoke with police regarding an alleged sexual assault that occurred after a match against Essendon on August 17.

While the players have been sidelined for the rest of the season, the AFL will wait for the Victoria Police investigation to conclude before considering further action. Dillon noted, "Don't want to get ahead of the police investigation, but there is the potential for more punishments if more information comes to light."

In a joint statement, the players expressed remorse, acknowledging their behavior did not meet the standards expected of them, stating, "We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners and everyone at the Club and in the wider community."

As the Brownlow approaches, the implications of their actions loom large over the ceremony, raising questions about accountability, the culture within sports, and the ongoing handling of sensitive allegations in the public eye.