Sam Newman claims alleged Sydney Swans drug use ‘happens all the time’ in the AFL and demands end to investigation

Sam Newman has downplayed alleged drug use linked to the Sydney Swans scandal as commonplace while demanding the investigation be brought to an end before further ‘recriminations and penalties’. 

The outspoken former Geelong star posted the footage to Facebook as Victoria Police continued investigating allegations surrounding an incident involving Swans players at a Melbourne hotel.

No charges have been laid and the allegations remain unproven. Police have not publicly identified anyone as an offender.

Players who have spoken with investigators have not necessarily been accused of wrongdoing, while the identities of the woman or women involved have not been published.

Sydney and the AFL have also launched separate inquiries into the players’ alleged conduct, including reported drug use.

Speaking from Europe, Newman claimed the situation had been inflated by intense media coverage.

‘From the other side of the planet, what I can gather, hysteria has broken out, back in the home town of Melbourne,’ he said.

‘Can we turn this into Armageddon? An occurrence, an event that has happened, and have the media got their claws into it. They can’t get enough of it.

‘Innuendo, suspicion, being informed, sources that we can’t reveal, they love it, it’s extraordinary.

‘And the very simple solution is to get it over and done with, but oh no. This will drag on with the cow eyes and the recriminations and the penalties.’

Newman then urged viewers to consider the alleged conduct at the centre of the controversy before claiming drug use was widespread throughout the AFL.

‘Think about what it is you are talking about, it’s a pretty simple thing, happens all the time,’ he said.

‘And don’t think the Swans are the only people in the AFL to [allegedly] take drugs, you would be absolutely mistaken.’

Newman did not provide evidence to support his broader claim about drug use within the competition.

His comments divided followers, with some supporting his call for procedural fairness and others accusing him of attempting to deflect from the alleged conduct.

‘There are always two sides to a story and I think Sam is right,’ one follower wrote.

Another rejected Newman’s comparison with alleged drug use elsewhere in the AFL.

‘Whataboutery doesn’t make it right, even if others do it,’ the follower wrote.

One supporter described Newman’s approach as ‘commendable’, arguing that directness was needed while emotions were running high.

Another wrote: ‘So true, innocent till proven guilty, they are not being given any procedural fairness.’

The presumption of innocence applies to any person investigated over the alleged hotel incident. Police inquiries do not amount to a finding of guilt, and allegations must be tested through the proper legal process.

However, any disciplinary action imposed by Sydney or the AFL is separate from the criminal investigation and may relate to alleged breaches of club or league conduct rules rather than criminal wrongdoing.

Newman has repeatedly weighed into the Swans controversy from overseas, attracting criticism for the language he has used while discussing serious allegations.

His latest intervention focused heavily on the media response and the time being taken to resolve the matter.

Victoria Police have continued conducting interviews as part of their investigation, while no criminal charges have been announced.