Four Sydney Swans players linked to an alleged sexual assault at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel will not be charged after a three-month police investigation.
Victoria Police confirmed on Friday that no criminal charges would be laid, citing insufficient evidence following legal advice.
A police spokesperson said no further details could be provided because civil proceedings remain ongoing.
Swans midfielder Isaac Heeney was the first of the players to address the decision publicly, saying he welcomed the police announcement.
‘The past three months have been incredibly difficult for my family, Steffie and those closest to me. Watching my family carry the weight of this has been heartbreaking,’ he said in a statement.
‘To my family and friends, your love and loyalty have meant more than words can express.
‘To everyone who never doubted me and stood beside me, thank you. I know it has not been easy amid such intense public scrutiny, and I will never forget your support.
‘To the entire Sydney Swans family — my teammates, coaches, board, sponsors, members and fans — thank you for continuing to believe in me.
Victoria Police will not charge Sydney Swans players Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon or former teammate Nick Blakey over the alleged Melbourne incident
James Jordon, Isaac Heeney and Nick Blakey, pictured alongside Chad Warner, will not face criminal charges after police found insufficient evidence
Isaac Heeney acknowledged former fiancée Steffie Waters in a statement released on Friday
‘The Swans have given me the chance to fulfil a childhood dream, and I am focused on repaying that faith by being the best person and player I can be.’
Sydney Swans has not yet issued a response to Friday’s announcement.
The lawyer representing one of the three women involved said his client was ‘devastated’ by the police decision and stressed that the legal dispute was not over.
Jackson Pannam, a senior lawyer at Slater and Gordon, told News Corp: ‘She reported the incident immediately, provided a formal statement and fully cooperated with the investigation.’
‘She has shown tremendous courage by coming forward,’ he said.
‘Victoria Police’s decision does not establish that the incident reported by our client did not take place. Nor does it lessen the seriousness of the allegations or the profound effect they have had on her.
‘The fact that criminal charges have not been laid does not stop a civil claim from continuing.’
Pannam said the law firm was continuing to prepare a civil action against the relevant parties while supporting its client through what he described as an ‘extremely difficult time’.
Chad Warner, pictured with Isaac Heeney, was also linked to the alleged sexual assault allegations
Victoria Police had previously confirmed it was investigating allegations that women were assaulted in a room at the Pullman East Melbourne Hotel during the early hours of August 17
The lawyer acting for the other two women also confirmed that civil claims would proceed.
‘A criminal prosecution carries an exceptionally high burden of proof, requiring guilt to be established beyond reasonable doubt,’ John Karantzis of Carbone Lawyers told The Age.
‘My clients’ cases are assessed under a different standard. They are personal injury claims, where the test is the balance of probabilities.
‘Our clients will vigorously pursue their claims.’
Heeney, teammates Chad Warner, Nick Blakey and James Jordon, along with Riley Bice, were stood down for the remainder of the 2026 season after allegedly breaching club standards at the Pullman East Melbourne. The alleged incident followed Sydney’s August 17 victory over Essendon, only weeks before the finals.
The three dancers later made police complaints alleging they had been sexually assaulted.
Bice was subsequently cleared by police and is now being treated as a witness in the investigation.
Heeney and his fiancée, Steffie Waters, ended their engagement in the aftermath of the Pullman Hotel incident.
Waters moved out of the couple’s $4 million home in Maroubra, first travelling interstate to Noosa to escape the media attention before continuing to the United States for a holiday.
Isaac Heeney has maintained a low profile at his Maroubra home during the past three months
Heeney, 30, has largely stayed out of the public eye in Maroubra. Reports said he spent weeks attempting to repair the relationship and remained in regular contact with Waters in the hope she might reconsider.
However, friends said Waters ultimately decided she could not forgive him after reflecting on the relationship.
During the turmoil surrounding the allegations, Heeney was also seen visiting a Thai massage parlour and spending time at the beach.
Earlier this month, he travelled to Hong Kong to watch his horse Brownneedsfurther win at Happy Valley racecourse, later posing for a photograph with winning jockey Zac Purton.
The Daily Mail does not suggest Heeney acted unlawfully; rather, Waters viewed his night out with dancers as a breach of trust within their relationship.
Heeney, Warner, Bice and Jordon are expected to return to Sydney’s playing group for pre-season training in the coming weeks.
Blakey has since departed the Swans and joined North Melbourne on an eight-year contract reportedly worth $12 million.
Last week, lawyers for two of the three women sent letters to the players, the club and a former teammate warning of potential civil proceedings.
Heeney, Warner, Blakey and Bice reportedly received the documents, as did retired Swans player Taylor Adams, who is not part of the police investigation.
The letter to Sydney Swans alleged the club could bear some responsibility for the conduct in question because the players were its employees.