Longmire reveals 'incredible deep sadness' over Swans' links to police probe

Swans coach-turned-director John Longmire has described his reaction to the club's current drama as "incredible deep sadness". Longmire said "football aspirations weren't part of the discussions" as the club opted to suspend five players for the remainder of the season. What's next? Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives are expected to arrive in Sydney soon to further their investigations. The players are yet to be formally interviewed or charged. Sydney's last premiership coach says there is a deep sense of sadness at five banned Swans players being linked to allegations of sexual assault. John Longmire, the Swans' longest-serving coach, says the suspensions of five players are "flattening" for all involved. Swans Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice and James Jordon are linked to a police investigation into sexual assault allegations at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel on Monday morning. Victoria Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives are expected to soon arrive in Sydney to further their investigations. The players are yet to be formally interviewed or charged, and it is not suggested that any of them are being accused of sexual assault. The bans instead related to the players' decision to continue drinking late into the night and bring women to their hotel, for which they have apologised. Longmire, who is currently the club's executive director of club performance, said the on-field ramifications of banning the players were not a priority for the Swans hierarchy. "It was just incredible deep sadness … and that is probably where we're still sitting," he told Fox Footy on Wednesday night. "Football aspirations weren't part of the discussions, they were very much in the background. "At the forefront were other people issues — as they should have been. "The people issues are the things that really led the discussions over the last few days … the premiership discussions were at the very back-end of anything that was talked about." The second-placed Swans, with one home-and-away game remaining, are assured of hosting two finals as they seek to win the club's first premiership since under Longmire in 2012. "It's flattening for a lot of people," he said. "It's a challenge for everybody to be able to get through and be able to put one foot in front of the other and get things right. "We feel for everybody." Longmire was Sydney's head coach from 2011 to 2024 after being an assistant from 2002. "The culture of the footy club has taken a big hit, and it will take time for everyone to rebuild the trust in the football club," he said. "You go from shock and disappointment, maybe a bit of anger in that. You get a bit of those emotions. "And you also care about people, try and get that balance right, and it's very tricky." "We are deeply sorry to everyone involved," they said. "We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club. "We accept the club sanction and apologise for the impact this has had on those involved." AAP The ABC of SPORT Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.