Sydney promises members a thorough review as off-field scandals continue to plague Swans
Sydney Swans have promised members to undertake a wholesale review of the club’s culture following their latest off-field scandal.
Sydney Swans have promised members to undertake a wholesale review of the club’s culture following their latest off-field scandal.
The Swans have once again been plunged into crisis due to the behaviour of senior players, with Tom Papley to face court after testing positive to methylamphetamine while driving with a suspended licence.
The incident comes just two months after the Pullman Hotel scandal that saw vice-captain Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice stood down for the remainder of the AFL season for breaching behavioural standards.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.While both matters are still under police investigation, CEO Matthew Pavlich said the club would be looking into how to be better, with he and club chairman Andrew Pridham signing a letter to members promising a thorough review of their program.
In the letter, they outlined that Pavlich would interview all AFL players and staff as part of the club’s annual end-of-season review.
However, the club will also be endorsing an independent review into the club and their processes to be conducted by workplace culture specialists Intersection.
Pridham and Pavlich acknowledged in their letter that the club has fallen well short of expectations.
“We wish to sincerely apologise for the distress recent incidents involving players from the Club have caused our members, supporters, corporate partners and the wider community,” they said.
“Our culture was built over many years through the values and actions of our people and in particular our players who held themselves to a high standard.
“The incident involving Tom Papley this week and the separate incident in Melbourne in August fall a long way short of those expectations.
“What is already clear is that the actions and attitudes of some within our club have damaged and diminished the many great things we do, and the great people who do them. This is unacceptable and must change.
“Rebuilding trust will not come from our words, but rather our actions. We do not take your support for granted, and we are committed to doing the work required to uphold the values and standards we expect of everyone at the Sydney Swans.”
Victoria Police are yet to provide an update on an investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel following a Round 23 AFL game.
Detectives in early September travelled to NSW to interview a 30-year-old Maroubra man, a 25-year-old Paddington man and two Randwick men aged 25 and 26.
It is understood the men interviewed were Heeney, Warner, Jordon and Blakey, but no charges have been laid, and this masthead is not suggesting the players are guilty of any wrongdoing, just that they are assisting police with enquiries.
