The AFL will not invite five Sydney Swans players—Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon—to this year’s Brownlow Medal ceremony due to club sanctions and an ongoing police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel.

Despite the Brownlow attendance ban, the players remain eligible to vote for and win the Brownlow Medal, subject to the club suspension ending at the end of the season.

Because of suspensions, Heeney, Warner, and Blakey would have been All-Australian certainties but are ineligible for selection this year; they remain Brownlow-eligible but will not receive AFL Awards ceremony invites.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said the priority is respecting the police investigation and that the league will conduct its own inquiry after it concludes, stressing respect for women as non-negotiable.

Dillon addressed broader community concerns on media duty, saying the AFL aims to use the finals period to unite the football community and that the actions of a few should not overshadow the sport’s broader positive contributions.

Sydney Swans returned to action with a win over North Melbourne in their first game since the incident and sit second on the ladder with at least two finals to come, including a clash with premiership favourite Brisbane.

Curnow forced a move from Carlton last year and is expected to receive the Coleman Medal in a possibly pre-recorded format, while his season may not guarantee a spot in the All-Australian team due to limited standout forwards.

Dillon noted the AFL’s actions are based on current knowledge, with accountability already imposed and potential further sanctions if new police findings emerge.

The All Australian team for 2026 was announced, with a mix of new inclusions and returns from top players across clubs.

Charlie Curnow will not attend the AFL Awards night to receive the Coleman Medal, marking a third time winning the award.

Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox and CEO Matthew Pavlich will skip the AFL Awards night and remain with the team during a week off after finishing second on the ladder ahead of a qualifying final against Brisbane.

The club’s internal disciplinary actions will determine eligibility for team-specific rewards once the season concludes.