Isaac Heeney has claimed Sydney’s club champion award, which is no longer given to their “best and fairest” player, in absentia on a night forced into changes by the Pullman Hotel saga.
None of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon or Riley Bice attended the Swans’ club champion event in Sydney in the aftermath of the post-Round 23 incident that derailed their season.
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No charges have been laid and the players have denied any criminal wrongdoing after three women hired as exotic dancers in the early hours of August 17 made various allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate touching without consent.
Bice has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is being treated as a witness. He and his four teammates were suspended after the incident for breaching club standards.
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said on Thursday night ruling the players ineligible for their awards would have been “inappropriate and in excess of the sanction”.
Heeney claimed his third consecutive Bob Skilton Medal, something only Gerard Healy (1986-88) had done previously.
The club’s social media post about his win simply said “the 2026 Bob Skilton Medal goes to Isaac Heeney having received the most votes from our coaching panel throughout the season”.
Callum Mills accepted on his behalf along with a video message from Heeney where he apologised and expressed his love for his family and the club, according to a fan in attendance who posted to Reddit.
“When I was told about this honor, it was the first time I’ve smiled and felt positive about the future for a long time,” he said according to Code Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy.
Isaac Heeney of the Swans celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 23 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
All four players still being investigated finished inside the top 10, with Heeney (431 votes) winning from Brodie Grundy (400) and Charlie Curnow (398).
Warner (397) finished fourth with Blakey (339) seventh and Jordon (301) tenth.
The club chose to not run a live stream, as they have done in the past and as most clubs usually still do. Fans commenting on the club’s social media accounts appeared frustrated by the inability to watch the event.
It was also noted before the count the Swans had changed the description of the Bob Skilton Medal from being awarded to the club’s “best and fairest player” to the club’s “most valuable player”.
The night was also framed as the ‘Sydney Swans AFL Awards’ rather than the ‘Club Champion’ night.
Nine reported the changes were not caused by the Pullman incident, and what would’ve been the awkward scenario of the club proclaiming Heeney as its “fairest” player.
“Given the Bob Skilton Medal is awarded by coaches giving votes after each match we thought it better categorised as most valuable player,” a spokesperson told The Age.
Suspended Swans face the media | 01:52
Pridham’s speech early on the night discussed the five players, revealing they wanted to attend the function but did not want to cause a distraction.
“We’ve handed out punishment, and we must begin the process now of healing,” Pridham said.
“We look forward to positively engaging with them all again soon in the period between now and the pre-season.
“We listened to a range of opinions across the club and in the football community, and I very much and genuinely mean that I respect that some people in this room and beyond may not agree with where we’ve landed tonight or where we have landed in many decisions. It has been very, very difficult.
“Let me be equally clear that these decisions to allow the players to remain eligible does not diminish our concern and respect for everyone impacted by these events. Likewise, the players involved, respect will continue to apply the basic right, presumption of innocence, and we fully support them in the application of this. As we all know, and I feel very strongly, their strong contribution to our club over many years cannot be erased and nor should it be forgotten.
“Strong clubs don’t pretend mistakes never happen; they hold people to account, they learn, and they get better. And I promise you, I promise you, that is our commitment to you.
“Adversity can break you or it can make you stronger, and my promise to you is that it will make us stronger and more united in the future.“