World · East Asia & Pacific · 51 mins ago
Police clear four AFL players of charges over hotel allegations
Victoria Police will not bring criminal charges against four AFL players after investigating allegations about an incident at a Melbourne hotel.
The players are Sydney Swans teammates Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon, and former Swans player Nick Blakey, now with North Melbourne.
Three women said they were sexually assaulted or touched without consent after being hired to perform at the Pullman East Melbourne on August 17.
The players have denied wrongdoing, and police said there was insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.
The police inquiry is over, but civil claims continue: lawyers for two of the women say they intend to pursue legal action against players.
Civil cases use a different standard of proof from criminal prosecutions, and the women’s claims are still unfolding.
The Swans had separately banned five players from the rest of the 2026 season for breaking the club’s behaviour standards.
Victoria Police cleared four AFL players of criminal charges over allegations arising from a night at a Melbourne hotel.
The force said it would not proceed because there was insufficient evidence, following a thorough investigation and legal advice.
The allegations concerned three dancers who said they were sexually assaulted or touched without consent at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel on August 17.
The players have denied wrongdoing, while lawyers for two of the women say they will continue with civil claims.
- Who
- Sydney Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and James Jordon, and Nick Blakey, now with North Melbourne.
- What
- Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges over allegations made by three dancers. Lawyers for two women are pursuing civil claims.
- When
- The alleged incident took place in the pre-dawn hours of August 17, 2026. Police announced the decision on November 13, 2026.
- Where
- The Pullman East Melbourne hotel in Melbourne, Victoria.
- Why
- Police said there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges, following legal advice.
The three women pursuing claims
The players
Allegations
The three women pursuing claims
The women separately told police they were sexually assaulted or touched inappropriately without consent.
The players
The players have denied any criminal wrongdoing.
Legal action
The three women pursuing claims
Lawyers for two women say they will press ahead with civil claims, which use a different standard of proof.
The players
The players have not been charged; the sources do not report their response to the civil claims.
Three dancers were engaged to perform in a hotel room after the Sydney Swans' round 23 win against Essendon.
A report said the players had been told the police decision was delayed.
Victoria Police said it would not proceed with criminal charges because of insufficient evidence.
- Players cleared
- Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Nick Blakey
- Hotel
- Pullman East Melbourne
- Alleged incident
- August 17, 2026
- Police decision
- No criminal charges; insufficient evidence
- Civil claims
- Lawyers for two women said they would proceed with claims
4 sources
What people are saying
Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence
Our clients will vigorously fight and proceed with their claims.