In brief
- The Sydney Swans have played their first game since being rocked by a sexual assault scandal.
- A planned walk out of the men's game proved more of a trickle than a mass exodus.
The Sydney Swans AFLW team has set a new attendance record, with fans warmly welcoming them to the field despite a major sexual assault scandal engulfing the men's side.
Attendance reached 16,672 spectators on Sunday afternoon, a new record for the women's club which more than doubles the previous record of 8,264.
The Swans AFLW team played their second-ever game at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday in a history double-header before the men took to the field.
A planned mass walk-out of fans ahead of the men's match failed to materialise as large crowds remained for both games. A small stream of supporters, some waving placards, did exit the SCG prior to the men's game, various media reported.
Five Swans players, including elite players Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, have been suspended for the remainder of the AFL season for breaching the club's standards on drinking and staying out late.
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No one has been arrested or charged, as Sex Crimes Squad detectives continue to investigate.
Several fans told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) news agency that they still supported the club despite feeling disappointed in players involved in the scandal.
"We support the club wholeheartedly," Swans supporter Russell Le-Guier said.
"The club itself is what this is about, not the individual players, they'll come and go over the years, but it's the club itself that we support."
Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham said: "The five players made a terrible mistake."
"However, they are part of our club, and as such we will do everything in our power to care for them," he said during a pre-game event.
"We do not excuse their behaviour. We do not ignore the impact it has had on so many people — and in particular women."
Don't punish the other players, fans say
Speaking with AAP, several fans said they were supportive of the men on the field.
Rosalie Le-Guier said she'd be cheering just as loud, if not louder than usual, when the men took the field.
"You don't punish the boys in the rest of the team," she said.
"We're here to support the club. We're here to support the rest of the players."
Another Swans fan, Kate Hipsley said she wouldn't be walking out of the stadium.
"As far as we know, the men playing in the men's game have not done anything wrong and they will be hurting as well," she said.
"I don't care about the premiership — it's more important than premierships — you care for the culture of the team, which has taken a huge hit."
Supporter David McGilchrist said he was generally happy with how the club had dealt with the scandal, despite being disappointed.
"I'm disappointed, and I've got a bit of anger now as well of what's happened, but a lot of disappointment and massive shock," he said.
"But I'm here to support the girls, the men, the club."
'Healing and moving forward'
Pridham said the club intends to rebuild trust in the community.
"While we are deeply shocked and disappointed with what transpired, we believe that since it occurred, we have acted with honesty, dignity and urgency," he said.
"Now we begin the process of healing and moving forward."
That will involve a better understanding of "how our cultural pillars failed to prevent such a thing from happening", he elaborated.
Investigation continues
Three women at the centre of the alleged sexual assault scandal have not spoken publicly as they consider potential civil claims.
It's understood the women joined players at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel after the Swans' win over Essendon last Sunday night.
One of the trio, who has engaged personal injury specialists Slater and Gordon, was navigating an "incredibly traumatic experience", according to senior attorney Jackson Pannam.
He says the firm has been asked to determine whether the woman, who has put multiple sexual assault allegations to police, has grounds to file a civil claim.
Pannam said the woman contacted police immediately after the alleged assaults and that her world had been turned upside down.
Another law firm is also reportedly helping two of the women prepare to launch action in the Victorian Supreme Court.
''We are currently investigating the circumstances and preparing to commence legal proceedings against the club and potentially the individuals involved,'' Carbone Lawyers partner Manny Carbone told The Age on Friday.
Fellow lawyer John Karantzis said the two women he represented were suffering severe stress and anxiety and feared for their lives after being subjected to "abhorrent actions".
"There's a lot of interest in this case and they are literally in hiding and they are suffering," he told Melbourne radio station 3AW.
Karantzi claimed more than five men were in the room at the Pullman but refused to comment when asked if coaches were present.
The Swans have "categorically" denied any of their staff were in the hotel room and said none are involved in the investigation.
The AFL's integrity unit is also investigating.
— With additional reporting from the AAP.
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