Sydney Swans hand over key evidence to the AFL integrity unit - as coach Dean Cox could be forced to give evidence against his players

By KARLEIGH SMITH - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 01:44, 23 August 2026 | Updated: 01:53, 23 August 2026 The Sydney Swans have gone to the AFL integrity unit and reportedly handed over audio of a conversation shared by three women at the centre of the alleged hotel incident. Journalist Caroline Wilson told 3AW the audio was recorded after the trio left the Pullman East Melbourne hotel early Monday morning. The fallout from the night has led to the suspension of Sydney Swans players Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon, who will miss out on the remainder of the 2026 AFL season.  The club found the players had breached its standards by staying out late, drinking and allegedly bringing women back to the hotel.  The suspensions are separate from a Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel. No charges have been laid, and all players have denied wrongdoing. It's understood the police investigation may run for weeks or even months as detectives gather statements from witnesses, which may include coach Dean Cox, 45, who was confronted by at least one of the women in the lobby. An investigator told the Herald Sun that Cox's response could become a key element in their investigation, with his evidence either helping or going against the players.  'What was said to him could be crucial evidence. He could be called to give evidence against his own players,' the investigator said. Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox could be called to provide evidence against his own players Police were called to the Pullman Hotel East on Monday morning It is believed the audio of the conversation of the three women was recorded by a third party and it is not known if the women have knowledge of it.  'Fresh information emerged yesterday morning,' Wilson said. 'It was conveyed to the Swans, it hasn't been confirmed, but the Sydney Swans have been contacted by a connection to one of the three women that are involved in these allegations. 'One of their connections has contacted the club claiming to have audio of the women speaking together after they returned home from the Pullman Hotel. 'Just a conversation about where they might take this, what they might report to police and where this might end for them. 'This information, or this particular connection, his details have been passed on to the AFL's integrity unit and my understanding is from there the integrity unit...that might be passed on to police, who we know were up in Sydney yesterday. 'Melbourne detectives interviewed Sydney staff, not the players involved.  'Sydney are aware of it. Sydney believe it could exist and they have passed the contact number of one of the connections involved onto the AFL's integrity unit. Players Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon have been stood down for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season  Heeney is engaged to Steffie Waters, who fled Sydney for Noosa amid the fallout 'Sydney make it quite clear that none of this exonerates the players from what they did. Their futures remain clouded.'  The scandal exploded after the Swans' victory over Essendon at the MCG, in which the final siren blared too late for the players to make a flight home to Sydney before the city's airport curfew. Several players went out drinking in Fitzroy and the CBD, before returning to the Pullman East around 2.30am. It is understood a gathering was held in one of the hotel's larger suites, where two exotic dancers were booked just after 4am -  some reports suggest three women were present in the room.  There have been several different alleged accounts of events in the room, but one Daily Telegraph source claimed trouble began when the men paid to slap the women's buttocks. The situation escalated, according to the source, when a dancer was allegedly slapped four times, not the agreed three strikes. Just hours later, a distressed-looking woman was seen confronting Cox in the lobby before police were called - which could be important as 'evidence of first complaint' 'What was said to him could be crucial evidence. He could be called to give evidence against his own players,' an experienced investigator told the Herald Sun. Isaac Heeney in the side's win over Essendon at the MCG hours before the scandal broke The Swans have assisted Victoria Police with their investigation into the incident but deny any staff member has been interviewed. The three women have engaged legal representation and are reportedly considering civil action. A potential civil claim would be separate to any criminal proceedings. Carbone Lawyers partner John Karantzis said the two women he represented were suffering severe stress and anxiety and were in fear for their lives. Victoria Police published a statement on Saturday to the media, confirming their investigations into the alleged sexual assault are ongoing. 'The exact circumstances of the matter are still being established and a number of people have been spoken to,' it said. 'As the investigation remains active and ongoing, we will not be commenting further including providing information on the specific circumstances of the matter, movements of detectives and any statements or interviews taken.' The club also released a new statement on Saturday morning, saying it supports the action taken by police in releasing a statement regarding the investigation. Chad Warner pictured with his long-term girlfriend, Alice Hughes 'The Sydney Swans categorically confirms that no member of staff is involved in the investigation,' the club said. 'This includes being in the hotel room central to the police investigation. 'The club reiterates that no player has been interviewed by police at this stage.' The Swans return to the field on Sunday afternoon at the SCG against North Melbourne for the first time since the scandal broke. James Rowbottom, Harry Cunningham, Angus Sheldrick, Caiden Cleary and Tom Hanily will replace the banned Pullman Hotel Five.  National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.