Brace yourselves: The finals won’t be a consideration for Swans

August 18, 2026 — 11:40pm

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If the Swans followed the standard script for AFL clubs on the eve of finals, they would be pushing for a two-match ban for the players who have caused such embarrassment to the club, the game and themselves.

Expediency and the necessity of retaining their gun players would win out if they followed the old template.

Quietly, a modern version of “boys will be boys” would be whispered. The club would fight and lawyer up to ensure that their foolish four or five would play, at worst, in the second week of the finals (not counting the wildcard games).

But this is not the vibe that is wafting out of Swans headquarters or the AFL. At no stage have excuses or justifications been peddled in an attempt to minimise the damage.

At no stage have they, or the AFL, disparaged or blamed the women who were in the hotel room when the alleged incident occurred that has led to a police........

© Brisbane Times