The Sydney Swans have confirmed several of their footballers were involved in an “alleged incident” in Melbourne last night.
The Swans issued a statement just after midday today.
“The Swans have notified the AFL and relevant authorities and cannot provide further comment at this stage,” the club said.
Victoria Police separately issued a statement saying detectives were investigating a report of a sexual assault in East Melbourne.
The Sydney Swans stayed at the Pullman in East Melbourne last night. (ABC News)
“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Parade in the early hours of the morning,” a spokesperson said.
“The exact circumstances are yet to be established, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”
Sydney Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich called a press conference this afternoon that lasted less than one minute.
“We’re still piecing together exactly what’s transpired here and have our own set of internal inquiries ongoing,” he said.
“Safe to say, we’re extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place and that the players have found themselves in this situation.
“We understand the level of interest in the matter, and there’s going to be lots of speculation, but given it’s a police matter right now, that’s all that we can say.”
Matthew Pavlich addressed the media this afternoon. (ABC News)
The AFL released a brief statement.
“The club made the AFL aware of the matter which is currently under Victoria Police investigation,” the statement read.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said she was unaware of the details of the allegations, but she was confident Victorian authorities would take them “very seriously.”
“We have to be mindful of the fact that the alleged offences occurred in a different jurisdiction. So, they [Victoria Police] will be leading that investigation,” she said.
Asked if she would be seeking a briefing from police herself given it was a high-profile case allegedly involving Sydney-based AFL players, she said: “The police will definitely lead on that” and “brief me accordingly”.
“The investigation is underway, I think we should let the police do their work in Victoria, and the NSW police will let me know if I need to know anything.”
The Swans were staying in Melbourne overnight after their 36-point win over Essendon at the MCG yesterday.
Sydney is sitting in second spot on the AFL ladder heading into the final round of the 2026 season, with the finals due to start within weeks.
The team has had 17 wins this season and is due to play its next game at home at the SCG against North Melbourne.
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Press conference finishes
That is all from Pavlich at this afternoon’s short Sydney Swans press conference.
For more on this evolving story, you can keep up to date on the ABC News website.
Pavlich is now acknowledging the intense media and public interest in the matter.
“There’s going to be lots of speculation, but given it’s a police matter right now, that is all we can say,” he says.
Pavlich would not comment any further and took no questions.
Pavlich says they have their own set of internal inquiries that are ongoing.
“Safe to say, we’re extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place, and that the players have found themselves in this situation,” he says.
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