“Extremely disappointed”: Cox briefly addresses Swans allegations

Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox briefly spoke to media on his way into club headquarters on Tuesday morning.

“Extremely disappointed with what’s happened and understand the questions and will update when we have more information,” said Cox, as reported by Channel 7's Andrew McCormack.

Cox was asked if club sanctions are expected: “We are working our way through everything with the AFL and all parties and will update when we have more information.”

Five Sydney Swans players have been named amid police investigations over an alleged sexual assault in a Melbourne hotel early on Monday morning.

According to Channel Seven reporter Caroline Wilson, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice have been brought in for questioning by police over the alleged incident.

"(The players) were all interviewed by police today, and are now making their way back to Sydney from Melbourne," Wilson told 7News.

"My understanding is they are all driving back to Sydney. We know that none of those players have been arrested. We know their interviews with police were voluntary. We know that the AFL's integrity unit headed up by Tony Keane and the AFL itself headed up by Tom Harley are running the investigation from the AFL side.

"We don't know the final details, and the police are still investigating. It was a massive shock to the club when they woke up to the news today, because of the seriousness of the allegations, and the timing, as it comes on the eve of the finals.

"They are definitely looking at standing the players down, quite apart from the fact that they were out late and allegedly drinking - that is being investigated by the club.

"The AFL view is that one game - Round 24, which isn't going to have any real impact on the club's fortunes - probably will not make the statement that both the club and the AFL feel should be made.

"Two games, one final at least."

Channel 9's Sam McClure also reported on Monday night that Blakey did not speak with police.

"Nick Blakey is adamant tonight that he has not been interviewed by police, nor has he provided or been asked to provide a statement by Victoria Police," he said.

At this stage, no charges have been laid.

The Sydney Swans are yet to comment on reports naming the players.

Wilson has also revealed that the release of the All-Australian squad, which was due to be unveiled this week, has now been delayed."

"The AFL have deferred the release of the All-Australian squad," Wilson said.

"The squad will likely be announced next Monday."

SEN's Tom Morris has revealed the timeline of events on Monday morning.

"They beat Essendon on Sunday evening at the MCG. That finished around 7:40pm," Morris told The Agenda Setters.

"These players all went out to various locations. The coaches got back just after midnight, including Dean Cox.

"At 2:15am, James Jordon and three other senior players got back.

"At 2:30am, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and another senior player got back.

"At 3:40am, Nick Blakey arrived back at the hotel.

"The other element here is the alleged victims arrived at the hotel just after 4am.

"That's the timeline of events according to a witness that was there.

"I spoke to another witness at the Melbourne hotel that was in reception when the alleged victims came down this morning from the room.

"These are the two quotes we can publish: 'Can the manager come and talk to me', and, 'Let us up into the room or we will call the police'.

"The people I spoke to today tell me that what took place in reception at about 7:30am was pretty unsavoury, and there was a bit of pandemonium as well."

Earlier today, Sydney Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich says he is "shocked and disappointed" by allegations of a sexual assault incident involving players on Sunday night at a Melbourne hotel.

On Monday, SEN's Tom Morris reports that Swans players "were involved in an alleged police incident" after the win over Essendon at the MCG.

The allegations are "believed to be sensitive and potentially very damaging to star players".

In a brief statement on Monday, the Swans said: "The Sydney Swans can confirm several players were involved in an alleged incident in Melbourne last night.

"The Swans have notified the AFL and relevant authorities and cannot provide further comment at this stage."

At 2pm Monday afternoon, Pavlich called a press conference which lasted around one minute during which he shared no further detail on what had transpired and said: "we are shocked and disappointed by what has happened but this is an ongoing police matter. I will not comment any further on it now."

When breaking the news, Morris wrote:

"A big story developing which could rock Sydney’s season. Swans players were involved in an alleged police incident last night at a Melbourne hotel.

"Club aware of details, which are believed to be sensitive and potentially very damaging to star players. This is an alleged sexual assault incident.

"There were three women in the foyer around 7.30am, confronting Sydney staff, including Dean Cox at one point (who witnesses said looked shocked by the scene)."

Victoria Police released a statement confirming the nature of the incident: “Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault in East Melb on 17/8.

“The incident occurred at a hotel on Wellington Pde in the early hours of the morning.

“The exact circumstances are yet to be established and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.”

In a brief statement on Monday afternoon, the AFL said: "The club made the AFL aware of the matter which is currently under Victoria Police investigation".