No-fault stand-down rule needed to keep players up to the mark

August 18, 2026 — 6:17pm

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The AFL should follow the lead of the NRL and introduce a no-fault stand-down policy for players charged with criminal offences.

Victoria Police’s Sexual Crimes Squad is investigating allegations involving five Sydney Swans players who returned to their Melbourne hotel in the early hours of Monday after a night drinking following their MCG victory.

At this stage, we do not know what happened. Nobody has been charged. This masthead does not suggest the players are under investigation by police, only that they have assisted police inquiries.

The ongoing coverage has again focused attention on the adequacy of the AFL’s response to situations in........

© The Sydney Morning Herald