Hundreds of Sydney Swans fans walked out of the Sydney Cricket Ground before the men's AFL fixture on Sunday, protesting during a historic double-header amid a scandal that has shaken Australian football. The walkout came after the AFLW team beat Essendon by 24 points, with many supporters leaving before the men's clash against North Melbourne.
Five AFL players – Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon – have been stood down for the rest of the season by the Swans for breaching the club's standards, including drinking and bringing women back to their hotel after their round 23 win over Essendon. Victoria police are investigating an alleged sexual assault early on 17 August at a Pullman hotel in East Melbourne, where the Sydney Swans were staying.
Fans divided over whether to stay
In the lead-up, some lifelong Swans fans were wrestling with whether to show support for the men's side. Shayal, a Swans member, said she felt a sombre mood on the light rail heading to the game, adding that she would be leaving after the women's match. “I'm only planning to stay for the women's game and then leaving before the men's game,” she said. “I've been a member for over 10 years, and it just doesn't feel right. And I'm not sure if I'll renew my membership again.”
Other fans said they still supported the club despite feeling disappointed in the players who were stood down. Daniel, a member for 26 years, said he would be staying for both games. “I will be watching both. It's ultimately a club. It's ultimately both teams,” he said. “I think it's the fact that those five players are not out there which made me comfortable to stay to watch the men's game.” Swans fan Kate Hipsley also said she wouldn't be walking out. “As far as we know, the men playing in the men's game have not done anything wrong and they will be hurting as well,” she said.
Record AFLW crowd and visible protest
The match drew a record AFLW crowd for the Swans, with 16,672 people watching on. It was the first time Sydney's AFLW and AFL teams have shared a double-header at the SCG. None of the Swans AFL players who were stood down have been arrested or charged, and much about the allegations remains unknown. The five players apologised in relation to the club sanctions in a joint statement issued by the Swans on Wednesday. “We are deeply sorry to everyone involved,” they said. “We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.”
Inside the SCG on Sunday, Swans fans made a special effort to loudly cheer every goal, positive play or desperate act from their AFLW team. But the merchandise stands and fan gear worn by supporters watching the women play were a reminder of what happened off the field this week. There was no sign of Swans star Heeney, or popular players including Warner and Blakey, on merchandise for sale or on T-shirts and hats worn by fans dressed in red and white. Posters around the stands that would usually feature Heeney heavily have been covered by posters focused on men's captain Callum Mills or simply “SWANS” in large font.
Impact on men's match turnout
Some Swans fans held signs supporting women, including one that read: “The Swans are nothing without W.” A banner that read “no more dickheads please” was removed from a stand by SCG security during the AFLW game. The banner appeared to reference Sydney's “no dickheads” recruiting policy during the time when Paul Roos was coach, part of the club's renowned “bloods culture”.
The club's turmoil did appear to affect the turnout for the men's match, and the usual parochial cheers were replaced by polite applause as the Sydney players ran out to face North Melbourne. The Swans have averaged 36,367 fans at their previous 11 home games at the SCG this year, but the number of vacant seats deep into the first term suggested the level of support had fallen away after a tumultuous week. The official crowd for the men's match was 30,058, Sydney's smallest crowd at the SCG this season. Sydney were too strong for the Kangaroos, storming home in the last quarter to win by 53 points. There were emotional scenes after match, with a number of Swans wiping away tears, including Mills and midfielder Errol Gulden.
