AFL Finals News 2026: Matthew Lloyd says Sydney Swans Pullman Five will never be forgiven after prelim loss to Fremantle
The Sydney Swans lost their AFL preliminary final to Fremantle after a late-season suspension of five key players. Critics and commentators suggest the team's lack of depth and the absence of these stars cost them a grand final appearance.
Why it matters
This highlights the significant impact of disciplinary actions on team performance and the long-term consequences of internal club management decisions.
Sport AFL AFL ‘Never forgiven’: Reality sets in for banned Swans after prelim heartbreak Nic Negrepontis September 18, 2026 - 9.26pm
shares Share article One month ago, Sydney chairman Andrew Pridham declared the club was “torpedoing” its own season by choosing to suspend five players, following the events that occurred at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne .
Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were banned for the remainder of the season , after a night of partying following round 23.
Distraught Swans players. via Getty Images
Fast forward to preliminary final Friday night and the Swans led Fremantle by 28 points in the third quarter, before running out of steam and losing in heartbreaking fashion.
It goes without saying, if those five players had been on the SCG, especially the three All-Australian level stars, it’s difficult to imagine Sydney blowing that lead.
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