The AFL has prepared a contingency plan for the unlikely event that suspended Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney, pictured at last year’s Brownlow Medal, is crowned the 2026 Brownlow medallist.
Heeney and four Swans teammates — Chad Warner, Nick Blakely, James Jordon and Riley Bice — were stood down for the remainder of the 2026 season following the Pullman East Melbourne scandal and were not invited to attend tonight’s ceremony.
Despite their suspensions, all five players remain eligible for the prestigious award, with Heeney, Warner and Blakely widely expected to poll strongly.
AFL commentator Kane Cornes said Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich is prepared to deliver a speech on Heeney’s behalf if the midfielder wins the Brownlow Medal.
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“There is actually a plan for what happens if Isaac Heeney wins the Brownlow Medal tonight,” Cornes said on SEN.
“I can tell you that Matthew Pavlich will accept Heeney’s Brownlow Medal tonight, and Matthew Pavlich will also read out the speech should — and it’s very unlikely — Isaac Heeney be the Brownlow medallist.”
Charlie Curnow, Brodie Grundy, Logan McDonald and Tom McCartin were among the Swans players who put their Mad Monday celebrations on hold to travel to Melbourne for the ceremony after Friday night’s preliminary final defeat by Fremantle.
