One of the five Sydney Swans players at the center of one of the most explosive scandals to rock the AFL has blown his cover.
Chad Warner, who is currently suspended by the Swans for the remainder of the 2026 season after breaching conduct standards following a party with strippers at a Melbourne hotel, was spotted having breakfast with his girlfriend Alice Hughes in Sydney on Thursday.
Hughes, who has supported Warner during his rise to football stardom, looked somber as the pair headed to a local pub.
Warner tried to fly under the radar as he wore the hood of his white sweatshirt up and kept his head down during the outing.
His stony-faced girlfriend, meanwhile, was dressed in black sweater and pants.
Hughes has traditionally kept a relatively low profile despite Warner’s meteoric rise to AFL stardom.
Chad Warner, one of five Sydney Swans players at the center of one of the most explosive scandals to rock the AFL, was spotted having breakfast with his girlfriend Alice Hughes on Thursday morning – and she didn’t look particularly thrilled to be by his side
The Perth-born nurse has been with the star player for several years and moved to Sydney after Warner was called up by the Swans.
She has also accompanied him to high-profile football events, including the Brownlow Medal, where the pair have previously appeared on the red carpet together.
Hours after the breakfast outing with Hughes, Warner was spotted with a male friend, looking considerably more relaxed.
He appeared cheerful as the pair enjoyed a clifftop walk on a beach, seemingly worlds away from the subdued breakfast earlier in the morning.
The duo even had a few laughs as they sat next to each other on a rock while enjoying the view.
The midfielder is currently going through one of the most turbulent periods of his career.
Warner, Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were suspended by the Swans for the remainder of the 2026 season after the club found they had breached standards of conduct following a night out after the match in Melbourne earlier this month.
The incident involved drinking, staying outside the club’s expectations and returning women to the team hotel.
Hughes, who has supported Warner during his rise to football stardom, looked somber as the pair headed to a local pub.
Chad and his girlfriend Alice can be seen at the 2025 Brownlow Medal Count
Hours after the breakfast outing with Hughes, Warner was spotted with a male friend on the beach – and he looked noticeably more relaxed
The midfielder appeared cheerful, seemingly a far cry from the subdued breakfast earlier in the morning
The duo even had a few laughs as they sat next to each other enjoying the view
It comes as the midfielder tries to navigate one of the most turbulent periods of his career
Warner, Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were suspended by the Swans for the remainder of the 2026 season after the club found they had breached standards of conduct following a night out after the match in Melbourne.
The incident involved drinking, staying outside the club’s expectations and returning women to the team hotel
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said on Wednesday that players were “held to a very high standard” and should not have been out drinking late at night or inviting women back to their hotel – the Pullman East Melbourne – at 4am.
“It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was continuing their night,” Pavlich said.
“It brought women back to the hotel. It was far from what we expect from our players.
“And we hold them to a very high standard. But they fell well below that standard.”
In addition, Victoria Police are investigating allegations of sexual assault during the night.
Allegations of illegal drug use in the room have also been reported. The players have denied criminal wrongdoing and drug use.
Three women have made statements to the police about alleged misconduct.
Swans coach Dean Cox, football boss Leon Cameron, head of player welfare and development Brett Kirk and communications chief Tom Chadwick have also reportedly given statements to police.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich said on Wednesday that players were “held to a very high standard” and should not have been drinking late at night or inviting women back to their hotel – the Pullman East Melbourne – at 4am.
“It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was continuing their night,” Pavlich said
In addition, Victoria Police are investigating allegations of sexual assault during the night
Allegations of illegal drug use in the room have also been reported. The players have denied criminal wrongdoing and drug use
Three women have made statements to the police about alleged misconduct
Swans coach Dean Cox, football boss Leon Cameron, head of player welfare and development Brett Kirk and communications chief Tom Chadwick have also reportedly given statements to police
The players have not been charged and the investigation is ongoing
The players have not been charged and the investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the scandal has already had extraordinary consequences for the players.
Banned from Brownlow, their AFL seasons are over and the Swans have been forced to answer in-depth questions about the culture surrounding the club.
The five suspended players issued a joint apology after accepting the club’s punishment.
“We are deeply sorry to all involved,” their statement read.
‘We know that our behavior falls far short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.’
Meanwhile, Sydney responded to the unrest by beating North Melbourne by 53 points at the SCG on Sunday, despite being forced to replace five members of the regular squad.
Captain Callum Mills and teammate Errol Gulden were visibly emotional after the final siren.
Meanwhile, the scandal has already had extraordinary consequences for the players
They have been banned from the Brownlow, their AFL seasons are over and the Swans have been forced to answer probing questions about the culture surrounding the club
The five suspended players issued a joint apology after accepting the club’s punishment
“We are deeply sorry to all involved,” their statement read. “We know that our behavior falls far short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.”
Meanwhile, Sydney responded to the unrest by beating North Melbourne by 53 points at the SCG on Sunday, despite being forced to replace five members of the regular squad.
Captain Callum Mills and teammate Errol Gulden were visibly emotional after the final siren
“I’m so grateful to our fans for sticking with us,” Mills said after the win. ‘We have remained united as a club this week and I am really proud of that’
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has promised a comprehensive investigation into the club’s culture, while the AFL will wait for the police investigation to conclude before conducting its own investigation.
Daily Mail does not suggest that any of the Swans players mentioned are under police investigation or involved in any misconduct alleged by the women
“I’m so grateful to our fans for sticking with us,” Mills said after the win.
‘We have remained united as a club this week and I am very proud of that.’
Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has promised a comprehensive investigation into the club’s culture, while the AFL will wait for the police investigation to conclude before conducting its own investigation.
Daily Mail does not suggest that any of the Swans players mentioned are under police investigation or involved in any misconduct alleged by the women.
