Sydney Swans women's team sets AFLW attendance record
The Sydney Swans women's team defeated Essendon by 24 points and set a club attendance record. The AFLW match at the SCG in Sydney drew 16,672 spectators — more than twice the team's previous record of 8,264 attendees, ABC News Australia reports.
Swans captain Lucy McEvoy said the team did not know what reaction to expect after a week in which the club found itself at the centre of a scandal. According to her, the fans' support was extraordinary for the players, although some of the team were nervous before the match.
Match at the SCG
It was only the second Sydney Swans women's team match at the SCG for premiership points, and the first held as part of a double-header with the club's men's team. Before the warm-up, the women's team received support from men's player Errol Gulden and captain Callum Mills.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
After the women's match ended, some spectators left the stadium before the men's team's game began. As ABC notes, there had been calls for a boycott ahead of the match because of the scandal surrounding the club, but it is unknown how many people left for that reason. There were also signs in the stands with messages such as “I'm here for AFLW”.
Players suspended and police inquiry
The club suspended five players from the men's team — Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon. According to the source, the reason was a breach of the club's internal standards concerning alcohol consumption and returning late after the victory over Essendon in Melbourne the previous Sunday.
Separately, Victoria Police's sexual crimes unit is examining reports of possible sexual assault. ABC reports that the inquiry concerns an allegation that a player allegedly touched a woman without her consent. Police have made no arrests and laid no charges.
