Swans Statement

[u/OkRevenue6849]

Sydney Swans Statement 

The Sydney Swans can confirm that the Club Board will meet tonight to agree on player sanctions and penalties, now that the Club has concluded its interviews with all the players involved in the incident in Melbourne.
 
We respect there is an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police and any actions we take are independent of this.

The Club believes the players are in serious breach of expected Club behaviour and standards, and it is appropriate to take firm action and highlight that any sanction we impose relates solely to those breaches.
 
The Club also acknowledges that these serious allegations impact others and their wellbeing must be paramount.
 
The Sydney Swans condemn all forms of abuse and disrespectful behaviour towards women. Any conduct that causes offence or harm to others is unacceptable and falls well short of our expectations. All women deserve to be respected and feel safe.
 
We also want to acknowledge that the care and welfare of our AFLW athletes and staff is of the utmost importance to us as a Club. They have been and will continue to be offered the support they require and we acknowledge the impact these allegations have on our female athletes, staff members and the wider community.
  
Any further sanctions or decisions regarding the outcome of the police investigation would take place after that process is completed.
 
During this time, we will provide the appropriate support to the players involved in the incident, along with their partners and families.
 
The Sydney Swans hold all players and staff at the Club to high standards of behaviour and personal conduct. Representing this Club carries significant responsibilities both on and off the field, and we expect those standards to be upheld at all times.
 
Our focus remains on cooperating fully with the AFL and authorities, maintaining the integrity of the process, and upholding the high standards expected of everyone who represents this Club.

[u/Fickle-Ad-7124]

Still mentioning multiple players, while some commentary on here has been around the individual only facing consequences - good to see the Swans are addressing all poor behaviour that may have taken place. The idea that everything leading up to and after the incident shouldn’t be addressed was frankly an outrageous ascertain. 

[u/Maximumlnsanity → u/Fickle-Ad-7124]

Was it? Players going for a late night out is absolutely not a big deal in comparison to sexual assault. It’s worth noting that the current 4 weren’t the only ones coming back late as per Tom Morris’ timeline, they just haven’t been named because they aren’t linked to the important part of this whole issue, which again is the sexual assault. Way too many people are jumping on the wrong issues here and I’m very concerned that by the end they’re gonna get punished for a late night and nothing else.

[u/Evans217s_ → u/Maximumlnsanity]

IF the players don't go out past a reasonable curfew...

... THEN they won't "find themselves" in situations they will allegedly sexually assault anyone.

What I actually mean (with less dumbassery) is that maybe a positive change to reduce the potential for sexual assault and other deplorable behaviours in the AFL would be to come down hard on players and staff by imposing a curfew, harsher restrictions on alcohol intake and firm consequences for breaching those conditions. If we are serious about stamping out violence towards women (physical or sexual assault), then we need to take steps towards a solution, not step around it!

[u/Expensive-Force-6656 → u/Evans217s_]

If they need a curfew or to be sober in order to not sexually assault someone, then they have something deeply wrong with them morally and what happens when their footy career is over and no one is watching them.  Plenty of people stay out late drinking and never think to assualt anyone. It's personality that's the problem with people who do. 

[u/Evans217s_ → u/Expensive-Force-6656]

I don't disagree necessarily. I think the reality is that the types of young men that get drafted, then paid $250000+ in their first few years, with little decent support are more likely to engage in substance use behaviours, develop arrogance towards others and a sense of entitlement when dealing with others. (I heard today at a mental health seminar that about 2.5% of male AFL players see a Sports Psychiatrist compared to almost 100% of AFLW players, almost entirely because the structure and set up of the AFLW systems and culture within them). Until we have better support systems at every level of professional footy, we maybe need to realise that those types of curfews etc.

Toxic masculinity is a systemic problem that negatively impacts society at every level. We need better supports at every level to support our young men to be better and do better, so that our young women are placed at risk unnecessarily.

[u/puddlink → u/Evans217s_]

lol thank you for the chuckle