Former AFL personality Sam Newman has again employed the controversial phrase ‘buyer’s remorse’ while commenting on the conduct of several Sydney Swans players. His remarks came as the club announced sanctions against five players for alleged breaches of team standards following an incident at a Melbourne hotel.

Newman’s Critique of Player Conduct

Sam Newman, speaking on his podcast ‘You Cannot Be Serious’ during a European holiday, directed criticism at Sydney Swans players Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, and Chad Warner. These players were later stood down by the club and would not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season. Newman specifically targeted their decision to remain out drinking until approximately 4:30 AM, suggesting their actions warranted disciplinary measures.

‘But they should certainly be stood down for, honestly, just stupidity,’ Newman stated. He posited that the players, despite their education, must have recognized the poor judgment in their actions at some point. ‘Some of them probably are partially educated, and to do that, at some stage they must have thought, “This is not a good idea.” This is buyer’s remorse. This is not a good idea.’

Newman clarified that his use of ‘buyer’s remorse’ referred to the players’ decision to be out late, not to the alleged sexual assault that was also reported to have occurred at the hotel. At the time Newman recorded his comments, no arrests or charges had been announced in relation to the alleged assault.

Club and AFL Response

The Sydney Swans officially announced the sanctions after a club board meeting. The club stated: ‘Sydney Swans players Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, and Chad Warner will not be considered for selection for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season.’ The Australian Football League (AFL) expressed its support for the club’s decision, emphasizing that the sanctions were imposed independently of the ongoing Victoria Police investigation into a reported sexual assault at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel.

Police had attended the hotel on Monday morning following a report of a sexual assault. While officers spoke with several individuals, and some players reportedly spoke voluntarily with police, no arrests were made, and no suspect has been publicly identified. It is important to note that there is no suggestion that any of the five players stood down by Sydney are under police investigation for the alleged sexual assault or any other criminal wrongdoing.

Previous Controversy Surrounding ‘Buyer’s Remorse’

Newman’s recent comments echo his prior use of the ‘buyer’s remorse’ phrase, which drew significant condemnation. He had previously applied the term when discussing the case of celebrity manager Ralph Carr, who was convicted of rape and sexual assault in July. Newman’s earlier statement suggested the victim ‘might have had some buyer’s remorse,’ leading to accusations from anti-violence campaigners that he was blaming the victim and questioning her credibility.

Newman has consistently defended his earlier remarks, maintaining that ‘buyer’s remorse’ referred to the victim’s potential regret over decisions related to consuming cocaine and alcohol before the assault, rather than the assault itself. He reiterated this stance in his latest podcast episode.

‘Buyer’s remorse meaning a bad decision,’ Newman explained, drawing a parallel to comments attributed to Ralph Carr’s former wife, Tina Arena, who reportedly said, ‘You reap what you sow.’ Newman argued that Arena’s statement, implying actions have consequences, was similar to his definition of ‘buyer’s remorse’ as a poor decision. He noted that Arena did not face similar criticism for her remark.

Newman also accused critics of misrepresenting his original comments about Carr by omitting references to cocaine and alcohol, thereby creating a false impression that he was defending Carr. ‘Because it was manipulated,’ he asserted. ‘They didn’t put in the coke and the drinking part. It was just that I said it was buyer’s remorse, which seemed to suggest that I was siding with Carr.’

Despite his explanations, anti-violence campaigner Sherele Moody and writer Rita Nasr had previously criticized Newman, with Moody accusing him of undermining the victim’s credibility and Nasr suggesting his words reframed the jury’s verdict as the woman having second thoughts. Newman, however, rejects this interpretation and continues to assert that ‘buyer’s remorse’ can apply to any decision that results in a negative outcome.

Context of Newman’s Comments

The recording of Newman’s latest podcast episode occurred before the Sydney Swans officially imposed the season-ending sanctions on the five players. His commentary focused solely on the players’ decision to stay out late, which he deemed a lapse in judgment sufficient for disciplinary action. The club’s sanctions, while aligning with Newman’s call for consequences, were presented as an independent club decision in light of their own standards and the ongoing police investigation.

The incident highlights the intersection of player conduct, club responsibility, and public commentary, particularly when controversial language is employed. The Sydney Swans’ decision reflects a commitment to upholding club standards, while the AFL’s support underscores a unified approach to player discipline. The ongoing police investigation into the alleged sexual assault remains separate from the club’s internal disciplinary process.