A woman at the centre of the Sydney Swans scandal was involved in a dramatic late-night confrontation at a Melbourne nightclub after claiming she had been prevented from celebrating her birthday because Hawthorn players were inside.
The woman was one of three topless waitresses hired to entertain AFL players at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel following the Swans’ win over Essendon on August 16. All three later made police complaints alleging they had been sexually assaulted.
No charges have been laid, and the women have since engaged civil lawyers. The players returned to Sydney Swans headquarters at Moore Park on Wednesday for routine end-of-season exit meetings and have denied any wrongdoing. There is no suggestion the players are personally under investigation.
The Daily Mail can now reveal that an unusual incident unfolded at Electric Bar on Chapel Street on Sunday night, when the woman—who cannot be identified for legal reasons—was refused entry to the venue, where she had planned to mark her birthday with friends.
Witnesses said the dispute, which was filmed by at least one person, quickly intensified. The woman reportedly became distressed and believed she had been singled out because of her allegations involving the Swans.
According to onlookers, she identified herself as one of the complainants, demanded to speak with a manager, threatened to contact the media and accused the door staff of acting unlawfully.
A woman at the centre of the Sydney Swans scandal was involved in a dramatic late-night confrontation at a Melbourne nightclub after claiming she had been refused entry while celebrating her birthday because Hawthorn players were inside. (Stock image posed by model)
The incident unfolded at Electric Bar on Chapel Street on Sunday evening after the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was refused entry to the venue, where she had planned to celebrate her birthday with friends. (The interior of Electric Bar is pictured)
James Jordan (left) and Nick Blakey (right) flanked Isaac Heeney (centre) as the three players returned to Sydney Swans headquarters in Moore Park for routine exit meetings on Wednesday afternoon
“She was standing at the door and refusing to leave,” one patron told the Mail.
“She said she would call 60 Minutes if they didn’t let her in. She said it was illegal to refuse her entry because she was part of the investigation involving the Swans.”
“One of the bouncers looked a bit confused by it all and said he didn’t know who she was.”
“That’s when she told him she was part of the investigation into the Swans and said the other man had refused her entry because the Hawks players were there.”
“There were loads of people waiting in line to get in, and they could hear everything.”
The standoff eventually ended, according to the Mail, and the woman was allowed into the venue with her friends once the commotion had died down.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Black Former Classmate Accuses Palestinian Woman Dubbed ‘Rachel Dolezal’ of Prioritizing Personal Gain Over Activism
Electric Bar is a well-known Chapel Street venue that is popular with local sporting stars, including players from Hawthorn.
The Mail has independently confirmed that several AFL footballers were at the venue on Sunday night. Their identities and club affiliations, however, are not known.
Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, Nick Blakey and James Jordon were stood down last month after the club determined they had breached its standards by drinking, staying out late and bringing women back to the hotel. (Heeney is pictured with his fiancée Steffie Waters)
The Mail independently confirmed that several AFL footballers were at Electric Bar on Sunday, but the venue said there was “nothing to indicate” anyone inside prevented the woman from entering. (Hawthorn players, unrelated to the Chapel Street incident, are pictured running onto the field)
There is no suggestion that Hawthorn players asked the venue to refuse her entry, knew she was there or were aware of her identity. The club declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Electric said they had reviewed the relevant reports from the night and there was nothing to indicate the woman was initially denied entry because of other patrons.
‘Based on the information provided, venue security consulted with management in accordance with standard procedure, which is a common occurrence throughout trade for a broad range of reasons including but not limited to signs of inebriation or aggression,’ they said.
‘All guests are assessed by venue security in the same way upon entry. This resulted in a brief delay while the circumstances were reviewed.
‘Following that review, there was no identified reason to refuse entry and the individual was permitted to enter the venue.
‘Electric is regularly attended by people from across Melbourne’s media, entertainment and sporting communities, and their presence at the venue is not uncommon.
‘There is nothing to indicate that the individual’s reference to another person already being inside the venue influenced either the review process or the decision to permit entry.’
The Victoria Police investigation into the woman’s allegations of sexual assault is ongoing. No charges have been laid and the trio have hired personal injury lawyers, with two engaging Carbone Lawyers and the third retaining Slater and Gordon.
Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, Nick Blakey and James Jordon were stood down last month after the club found the players had breached its standards by staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the hotel.
The players all returned to Moore Park on Wednesday for routine end-of-season exit meetings, running the gauntlet of the press for the first time since the scandal broke.