Heeney Wins Third Consecutive Best and Fairest Award Amidst Controversy

Isaac Heeney has won his third consecutive best and fairest award with the Sydney Swans, despite being absent from the ceremony due to a club-imposed ban for breaching standards.

Heeney and four teammates, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, Riley Bice, and James Jordon, were sanctioned for their involvement in a late-night party at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne following a match on August 16. The incident also prompted a separate police investigation into an allegation of sexual assault, with the four players being interviewed by police. However, no charges have been laid.

In a speech at the awards ceremony, Swans chairman Andrew Pridham explained the club's decision to allow the players to remain eligible for the award, citing the importance of separating off-field matters from on-field performance.

"We do not believe it would have been appropriate to retrospectively remove votes that have already been cast owing to the subsequent incident," Pridham said.

"The medals awarded tonight acknowledge on-field performance across the season. Erasing a season of football after the fact would, in our opinion, be inappropriate and in excess of a sanction."

Heeney was not present at the ceremony, but his victory marked him as the 11th player in South Melbourne and Sydney Swans history to claim three best and fairest titles. Ruckman Brodie Grundy finished second, with key forward Charlie Curnow in third.

In other best and fairest results, Bailey Smith claimed his first Carji Greeves Medal at the Cats, while Will Ashcroft took home his first Merrett-Murray Medal at the Lions. Zach Merrett made history with his seventh Crichton Medal, equalling the record set by Essendon legends Dick Reynolds and Bill Hutchison.