Lawyers for two exotic dancers have sent legal letters and a draft statement of claim to five Sydney Swans players and the club, as a forerunner to potential civil action in the Supreme Court of Victoria over the Pullman East Melbourne hotel incident in August. A letter prepared by barristers briefed by Carbone Lawyers was accompanied by documentation inviting the parties to begin discussions towards an agreed outcome.
A legal source said the correspondence named Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, North Melbourne recruit Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and Taylor Adams. Separate correspondence to the club claimed that, as the players’ employer, it was liable for their actions at the hotel.
Three women were in the hotel suite; two are represented by Carbone Lawyers, while the third is represented by Slater and Gordon. Medical reports found the pair were variously struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder, for which they are undergoing treatment.
The players have maintained their innocence and denied any criminal wrongdoing. However, the Swans banned all five from the field for the remainder of the 2026 season for breaching club behaviour standards, drinking, staying out late and inviting women back to the team hotel.
In a pre-recorded message to the Swans’ best and fairest awards last month, Heeney said he was “truly sorry for putting you through the extreme difficulty you’ve had to endure, as it had a huge impact on the club”.
"Every single day I was away from the club was heartbreaking, knowing that I couldn't make a contribution," he said. "I'm incredibly excited about what this group can do. I can't wait to get back and train with the boys, get better and attack next year together."
Blakey was traded to North Melbourne on October 12 in an eight-year deal worth more than $11 million, reportedly after being unhappy with the club's handling of the incident.
Victoria Police’s investigation into the pre-dawn events of August 17 at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel is ongoing, with a decision expected this month. Police have indicated Bice and Adams are being treated as witnesses.
Carbone Lawyers and the Sydney Swans both declined to comment.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The civil action could hold both players and the club legally accountable for off-field misconduct, setting a precedent for employer liability in sports.
- The case highlights the ongoing tension between criminal legal outcomes and civil justice, with women pursuing private action even after police clearance for some players.
- The outcome may affect the trajectory of the players' careers, especially Heeney and Blakey, and the club's reputation.
Background
The incident occurred on August 17, 2026, after the Sydney Swans' round 23 AFL victory against Essendon. Three exotic dancers were engaged by players in a hotel room at the Pullman East Melbourne. The women subsequently made statements to police alleging sexual assault and inappropriate touching. All five players involved were banned for the remainder of the season for breaching club conduct rules, drinking, staying out late, and inviting women back to the hotel. Heeney later issued an apology at the Swans' best and fairest awards.
Key Perspectives
The two women (via Carbone Lawyers): They have initiated civil legal action, alleging sexual assault and inappropriate touching, and are suffering trauma-related disorders for which they are receiving treatment.
The five players (including Heeney, Warner, Blakey, Bice, Adams):** They maintain their innocence and deny any criminal wrongdoing. Isaac Heeney publicly apologized to the club, saying he was sorry for the impact on the club and expressed eagerness to return.
Victoria Police: The investigation is ongoing, and no update is available. Bice and Adams are considered witnesses.
What to Watch
- Victoria Police are expected to announce a decision on the investigation this month, which may affect the civil case.
- Whether the civil action proceeds to the Supreme Court of Victoria or is settled through the invited discussions.
- Reaction from the Sydney Swans and the AFL community regarding employer liability claims.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says lawyers sent legal letters to Swans players and the club over the hotel incident.The Age - Latest News: “Lawyers acting for the women have sent legal letters, along with a draft statement of claim, to five men and the Sydney Swans football club”
- SupportedThe summary says the letters name five players but not James Jordon, while the police investigation continues.The Age - Latest News: “tagger James Jordon has escaped scrutiny as part of the women’s private lawsuit while he remains subject to the ongoing police inquiry.”
- SupportedLawyers for two dancers sent legal letters and a draft statement of claim to five players and the club as a forerunner to potential civil action in the Supreme Court of Victoria over the August hotel incident.The Age - Latest News: “Lawyers acting for the women have sent legal letters, along with a draft statement of claim, to five men and the Sydney Swans football club as a forerunner to potential action in the Supreme Court of Victoria.”
- SupportedA legal source said the correspondence named Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and Taylor Adams.The Age - Latest News: “a legal source connected to the process, but not authorised to speak publicly about the matter, told this masthead the correspondence outlining the pair’s claims was addressed to Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, North Melbourne recruit Nick Blakey, Bice and Adams.”
- SupportedSeparate correspondence to the club claimed it was liable for the players’ actions as their employer.The Age - Latest News: “The source said the letter, prepared by barristers briefed by Carbone Lawyers, was also sent separately to the club with claims that, as the players’ employer, they are therefore liable for their actions at the hotel.”
- SupportedThree women were in the hotel suite; two are represented by Carbone Lawyers and the third by Slater and Gordon.The Age - Latest News: “Carbone Lawyers is representing two of the women, one based in Melbourne and the other who divides her time between Melbourne and Byron Bay. ... A third woman in the hotel suite at the Pullman is being represented by Slater and Gordon.”
- SupportedMedical reports found the two women were variously struggling with PTSD and adjustment disorder and were undergoing treatment.The Age - Latest News: “The official medical reports, one of which extended to more than 40 pages, were prepared for the potential civil action and concluded the pair were variously struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and adjustment disorder for which they are now undergoing treatment.”
- SupportedThe players maintained their innocence and denied criminal wrongdoing.The Age - Latest News: “The players have maintained their innocence and denied any criminal wrongdoing.”
- SupportedThe Swans banned all five players from the field for the rest of the 2026 season for drinking, staying out late and inviting women back to the team hotel, breaching club behaviour standards.The Age - Latest News: “After the incident, the Sydney Swans banned all five players from the field for the remainder of the 2026 season for drinking, staying out late and inviting women back to the team hotel – a breach of the club’s behaviour standards.”
- SupportedIn a pre-recorded best-and-fairest message, Heeney said he was “truly sorry for putting you through the extreme difficulty you’ve had to endure, as it had a huge impact on the club”.The Age - Latest News: ““From the depths of my heart, I’m truly sorry for putting you through the extreme difficulty you’ve had to endure, as it had a huge impact on the club,” he told teammates, club officials and staff at the event.”
- SupportedHeeney said: “Every single day I was away from the club was heartbreaking, knowing that I couldn't make a contribution,” and “I'm incredibly excited about what this group can do. I can't wait to get back and train with the boys, get better and attack next year together.”The Age - Latest News: ““Every single day I was away from the club was heartbreaking, knowing that I couldn’t make a contribution. Every single day, I think about what could have been ... I’m incredibly excited about what this group can do. I can’t wait to get back and train with the boys, get better and attack next year together.””
- SupportedBlakey was traded to North Melbourne on October 12 in an eight-year deal worth more than $11 million, reportedly after being unhappy with the club’s handling of the incident.The Age - Latest News: “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.”