Channel 10 reporter’s view on the Sydney Swans scandal is praised by Australians – as she issues message to alleged victim live on air

A Channel 10 reporter has been praised for repeatedly turning attention to the woman at the centre of the Sydney Swans hotel allegations as other media figures face criticism for focusing on the club’s premiership hopes.

Rebeka Powell ended multiple live crosses by expressing concern for the woman’s welfare while reporting on the police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at an East Melbourne hotel.

Victoria Police were called to the hotel on Wellington Parade following an alleged incident in the early hours of Monday, August 16, hours after Sydney defeated Essendon at the MCG.

No one has been arrested or charged. However players Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon and Chad Warner have been stood down for the remainder of the 2026 season – including the AFL finals.

Several Swans players have reportedly spoken voluntarily to police as detectives work to establish what occurred.

Powell later posted a montage of her live reports to Instagram, showing how she had consistently acknowledged the woman behind the rapidly developing story.

Powell ended multiple live crosses by expressing hope that the woman was receiving appropriate care and support that night

‘There is of course a woman who is at the centre of these allegations and tonight, we hope that she is getting all the support that she needs,’ Powell said during one cross reporting on the story.

‘There is a woman at the centre of these allegations who witnesses say they saw distressed in the lobby.

‘We certainly hope that tonight she is getting the support and care that she needs.’

During a separate broadcast, Powell questioned how the woman was coping as speculation continued about the possible consequences for Sydney and its players.

‘However I think the more important question tonight, at the centre of all this, is how that woman is fairing,’ she said.

‘There is a woman at the centre these allegations, who as I mentioned, witnesses described seeing hysterical in the lobby,’ Powell said in another report.

‘We hope tonight that she is getting all the support that she needs.’

Powell explained that she had completed four live crosses to three states that evening and may have stumbled over some of her words, but felt a responsibility to deliver that message properly.

Witnesses reportedly saw distressed women in the hotel lobby before police arrived and began making inquiries that same morning

Garry Lyon described the situation as an ‘unmitigated disaster’ and warned it would overshadow Sydney’s entire finals campaign

‘Regardless of the outcome of this investigation, there is a woman who has now found herself at the centre of an incredibly public and difficult situation,’ she said.

‘Across four live crosses to three different states tonight, I probably fumbled plenty of words – but this was the one sentence I felt a real duty to get right.

‘A small reminder that behind the cameras, headlines and the “mainstream media” label are journalists trying to do this job with empathy, professionalism and humanity, and to never lose sight of the individual at the centre of a story when so much noise surrounds them.’

Her approach was praised by advocates and other public figures. 

‘Thanks to everyone who’s reached out. I’m grateful for the response, but also saddened that simply acknowledging the welfare of the person at the centre of a story like this has stood out so much. It shouldn’t be unusual,’ she wrote.

‘The news cycle moves incredibly quickly and, as journalists, we’re often onto the next story almost immediately (literally me tonight). But the people whose lives suddenly become headlines don’t get to move on quite so easily.’

Powell then addressed the woman at the centre of the allegations directly.

‘And to the woman at the centre of this story, if this ever reaches you: you don’t owe the public anything. You don’t owe anyone a statement, an explanation or access to your experience,’ she wrote.

Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich said the club was extremely shocked and disappointed as its internal investigation continued separately

Coach Dean Cox expressed shock and disappointment as the Swans considered sanctions ahead of their upcoming finals campaign

‘But if there is ever something you want understood, clarified or simply heard, you are very welcome to reach out to me directly. My DMs are open, with absolutely no pressure or expectation attached.

‘I hope you have good people around you and the support you need in the days, weeks and months ahead.’

The reaction came as other football commentators were criticised for discussing how the incident could affect Sydney’s finals campaign.

Kane Cornes sparked a backlash after considering how teammates might respond if the behaviour of players cost the Swans a premiership.

‘What the future holds for those players remains to be seen,’ Cornes said on Channel Seven.

‘But if I was a teammate of one of those and it had the prospect of costing us potentially a premiership, I’m not sure I would ever forgive them.’

Sports presenter and digital creator Lavender Baj accused sections of the football media of giving greater attention to Sydney’s premiership prospects than the reported sexual assault.

‘Now I am not asserting that anyone is guilty or innocent, we don’t know the severity of the allegations,’ she said.

‘What I do know, as former journalist and person with at least one functioning brain cell, is that in instances of allegations of sexual assault, the sexual assault part is always more important than the Swans finals fixture.

‘If I have to see one more news article or tweet from a journalist, that this is going to devastate the finals fixture or it’s ruining people’s SuperCoach or whatever.

‘For the love of God, can we take one second to think about the alleged victim who has come forward saying that they were allegedly sexually assaulted.

‘That it is now reading headlines about how it is going to devastate the Swans finals fixture, use your brain I beg you.’

Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon described the situation as an ‘unmitigated disaster’ for Sydney and the AFL, while four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis said he believed the Swans’ 2026 flag campaign was effectively over.

Some viewers defended the commentators, arguing their jobs required them to examine the football consequences while avoiding speculation about an active police investigation.

The Swans have since completed their own internal interviews and found that multiple players committed a serious breach of the club’s expected behavioural standards, separately from the police process.

Club sanctions are being considered and could affect Sydney’s team during the finals.

Victoria Police’s Sexual Crimes Squad continues to investigate the reported assault. The exact circumstances remain to be established.