‘Devastated’: Dancer speaks after Swans players cleared by police over hotel night

Three strippers have vowed to push on with civil action against Sydney Swans players cleared of criminal conduct over a night of partying at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel.

Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon, and North Melbourne recruit Nick Blakey were on Friday told by Victoria Police they had been cleared over the incident after three months under scrutiny.

Two sources with knowledge of the investigation, but not authorised to speak publicly, said the force informed the parties they had not found enough evidence to proceed with charges against the group.

A five-line media statement from Victoria Police, issued after the women were told the outcome, brought an end to the inquiry.

“Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence,” it read.

“Due to the ongoing civil matter, Victoria Police is unable to make further comment.”

One of the women said she was “devastated” by the outcome, with the players still under scrutiny as part of the civil proceedings.

Heeney issued a statement after the police announcement thanking those who had stood by him and pledging to repay the club.

“I welcome today’s announcement from Victoria Police,” Heeney said.

“Watching my family carry the weight of this has been heartbreaking.

“The Swans have given me an opportunity to live out a childhood dream and I am fully focused on repaying that faith by being the best person and player I can be.”

Chad Warner said he was glad the matter was now resolved.

“I was always confident of the outcome. It has been a stressful time for myself and those close to me, particularly my partner Alice. I will not be making any further comments from here and will be focusing on my football and playing for the Sydney Swans in 2027.”

The players have maintained their innocence and denied any criminal wrongdoing over the alleged incident that unfolded in a hotel suite in the pre-dawn hours of August 17.

Three exotic dancers were engaged by the men to perform in one of the players’ hotel rooms after the team’s round 23 win against Essendon.

In separate statements to Victoria Police, each of the women variously alleged they were sexually assaulted and touched inappropriately without consent.

Swans player Riley Bice, now retired teammate Taylor Adams and a mystery man, who were in the room that night, had already been told by police they were only being treated as witnesses.

Each of the three women has engaged lawyers to pursue potential civil legal action against the men, with that process continuing to unfold.

The lawyer for two of the women, John Karantzis from Carbone Lawyers, said they were pressing ahead.

“Criminal prosecution has a very high standard of burden of proof that is beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said after the result of the police investigation was revealed.

“My clients’ claims are on a different standard. It is a civil claim for personal injury and as such the standard is on the balance of probabilities.

“Our clients will vigorously fight and proceed with their claims.”

Carbone has sent letters to players outlining the women’s intention to pursue legal action. The letters included a draft statement of claim and offer to begin talks between the parties.

The other law firm involved, Slater and Gordon, said their client was devastated no charges had been laid but would go ahead with the civil action.

“She reported the incident immediately, provided a formal statement and co-operated fully with the investigation. She has shown enormous courage in coming forward,” senior lawyer Jackson Pannam said.

“The decision by Victoria Police does not amount to a finding that the incident our client reported did not occur, nor does it diminish the seriousness of what she says happened or its profound impact on her.

“The absence of criminal charges does not prevent a civil claim from proceeding.

“This outcome also sits within broader patterns of under-reporting and attrition in sexual offence matters.”

The AFL released a statement saying they reserved the right to investigate if any further relevant information comes to light. But they said there would be no further penalty for the players, who were banned from the field for the remainder of the 2026 season, with the AFL’s endorsement, for drinking, staying out late and inviting women back to the team hotel – a breach of the club’s behaviour standards.

Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich said the police announcement was “not a day for anyone to celebrate”.

“We’re still looking very hard at the program and understanding where we need to get better in the future and examining that in really, really thorough detail. So for us, there’s work to be done – a lot of work to be done – but we’re up for that work, and I can guarantee everyone out there that we’ll be doing everything we can to restore the standards and behaviours that this club has held for a long period of time,” he said.

Blakey was on October 12 traded to North Melbourne in an eight-year deal worth more than $11 million, after reportedly being unhappy with the way the Andrew Pridham-chaired club handled the incident.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.