Sydney Swans legend Gerard Healy shares his 'total disbelief' over club's sexual assault scandal: 'It's been one of the tougher weeks'

Legendary Sydney Swans player Gerard Healy has discussed his 'disbelief' and 'anger' after learning of the sexual assault scandal embroiling his footy club. 

The retired footballer and commentator made the comments ahead of the team's victorious match against North Melbourne at the SCG on Sunday. 

'It's been one of the tougher weeks, both for the Swans and for footy,' Healy, 65, said on Fox Footy. 

'You run through a gamut of emotions. 

'Initially, just total disbelief, and then concern for the alleged victims, and then, really, anger set in.'

Healy's run with the Sydney Swans lasted between 1986 and 1990 and included 81 games. 

The midfielder and on-baller was awarded best and fairest nods in 1986, 1987 and 1988.    

Swans players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice, Nick Blakey and James Jordon have been stood down for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season after the club found they breached its standards by staying out late, drinking and bringing women back to the Pullman East Melbourne hotel, early Monday morning.

The suspensions are separate from a Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at the hotel. No charges have been laid and all players have denied wrongdoing.

The woman at the centre of the allegations made a formal complaint on Tuesday.

It's understood detectives are focusing on the alleged actions of Heeney, who spoke with police on Monday before he returned to Sydney. None of the players have been formally interviewed.

The players were allegedly in a room with naked women, one of whom performed lap dances, and that Heeney, who was clothed, was the subject of the complaint. 

Details emerged on Wednesday that the five Swans players had taken exotic dancers up to one of their hotel rooms at about 4am Monday for 'private lap dances'.

Several hours later, at about 7am, two women were seen in a shared area of the hotel approaching staff and demanding access to guest rooms, according to witnesses.

One of the women was overheard telling hotel staff she had felt overwhelmed while surrounded by several men in a room.

Sources claim she may have been locked out of the room, possibly naked, the Herald Sun reported.

It's understood she approached a Swans official in the lobby and made a complaint, asking to retrieve her clothes from the room on a level that had been booked out by the club.

Police were called after one of the women later ran into the hotel toilets crying.

The Swans issued an apology on behalf of the five suspended players on Wednesday evening.

'We are deeply sorry to everyone involved,' the joint statement read. 

'We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.

'We know we have let down our partners and families, members, supporters, teammates, the AFLW team, corporate partners and everyone at the club and the wider community. 

'We accept the club sanction and apologise for the impact this has had on those involved. Our focus will now be on rebuilding trust with the club and the community.'

Daily Mail does not suggest any of the players are under investigation or involved in any wrongdoing, just that they spoke to police about the alleged incident.