Sydney coach Dean Cox says he’s “extremely disappointed” that several Swans players are being investigated over an alleged sexual assault, as the AFL and the club consider whether to stand them down.

In his first comments since the news broke, Cox and captain Callum Mills separately briefly spoke to media outside of the Swans’ headquarters on Tuesday morning.

Victoria Police went to the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne on Monday and said they are investigating a report of sexual assault from early that day.

The Swans stayed at the hotel on Sunday night after their 36-point win over Essendon at the MCG.

Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Riley Bice have been widely named in media reports as the players assisting police with their inquiries, and none have publicly been accused of wrongdoing.

The New Daily is not suggesting these players are under formal police investigation.

The allegations have rocked the second-placed club ahead of the looming AFL finals.

“Obviously extremely disappointed with what’s happened, and understand the questions and we’ll update as we gather more information,” Cox said.

When asked if sanctions should be expected, Cox added: “We’re working our way through everything with the AFL and the relevant parties and we’ll update when we get more information.”

Asked if he had spoken to the players, Cox said: “We’ll speak as the day unfolds.”

Players were stopped by media as they entered Sydney’s training facility.

“It’s an investigation ongoing and we don’t have the facts yet, so can’t really comment,” Mills said.

“We don’t know the facts. It’s as simple as that.”

Mills wouldn’t comment when asked if he’d spoken to the players involved.

As of Tuesday morning, no players had been charged in regards to the investigation, which is ongoing.

“Police spoke to a number of people at the hotel, however no one has been arrested or formally interviewed at this time,” Victoria Police said.

The Sydney Swans can confirm several players were involved in an alleged incident in Melbourne last night.https://t.co/iAJIvENco1

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 17, 2026

On Monday, Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said the club was working with the AFL and relevant authorities.

“We’re still piecing together exactly what’s transpired here and have our own set of internal inquiries ongoing,” Pavlich said.

“But, safe to say that we’re extremely shocked and disappointed that this has taken place and that the players have found themselves in this situation.”

No senior figures at the AFL have publicly commented on the matter, though its integrity unit appears certain to become involved.

Unlike the NRL, the AFL does not have a strict no-fault stand-down policy on players charged with serious offences such as sexual assault.

But the AFL stood down Geelong’s Tanner Bruhn, who ultimately had sexual assault charges dropped, for the entire 2025 season while his case was in court.

Bruhn, who always maintained his innocence, returned to play this year.

AFLPA chief executive James Gallagher stressed the NRL no-fault stand down kicked in when people were charged.

“What we’ve got here at the moment is allegations,” Gallagher said.

“I think part of it is understanding what’s happened and understanding that as best as possible and that can sometimes take time.”

If Sydney does choose to stand down players for the last regular round, it will likely become clear before team selection later this week. The Swans will play North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

Sydney is required to name its extended squad on Thursday night, and cut that back to 23 players plus three emergencies on Friday.

The Swans then have a week off during the wildcard round before a home qualifying final.

The AFL has been contacted for comment.

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National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028