SYDNEY coach Colin O'Riordan has declared the Swans "one club" and urged unity as the organisation undergoes a wide-ranging review after a turbulent period.
On Thursday night the club updated members on the "comprehensive examination" commissioned by the board in early September, with an independent adviser engaged to guide the process.
The review is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will include interviews with all AFL players and staff, the annual end-of-season review, and an independent assessment of the club's AFL and AFLW programs, commercial teams and key stakeholders.
The update comes after a difficult period for Sydney, with men's forward Tom Papley issued a court attendance notice on Monday.
Papley received the notice for driving with a suspended licence, which the club said was due to non-payment of a parking fine. NSW Police confirmed a random drug test during the roadside stop returned a positive preliminary indication. A secondary oral-fluid sample was taken for analysis.
Papley's incident followed the suspension of five Swans players, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice, by the club in August for breaching behavioural standards. The club-imposed sanctions were separate from an ongoing Victoria Police investigation into an alleged sexual assault at Melbourne's Pullman Hotel.
No charges have been laid, and AFL.com.au is not suggesting any wrongdoing by the five players.
Speaking ahead of the AFLW team's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon, O'Riordan said the entire organisation needed to remain united.
"We're one club, and we're incredibly united on that front," he said.
"I think a review at the end of the year will highlight a few of the issues that may be brought to light or may not, depending on what the review says.
"Our group is incredibly trustworthy and loyal. I try to uphold the highest standards of professionalism on and off the field, and that's what I talk about every single day. But at the end of the day we are one footy club, and during tough, testing times, you have to stay united."
O'Riordan has maintained that stance throughout the club's recent off-field issues.
He backed the review and, echoing recent comments from former Swans co-captain Dane Rampe, said honest conversations were necessary to move forward. Rampe, who retired last week after 289 games, spoke of the "chaos" and "hurt" surrounding the end of his career and the difficult position Sydney was in.
"Everyone being given the opportunity to speak on where they sit and how they feel is probably the most important thing," O'Riordan said.
"Tough and challenging conversations are where you get some growth.
"Everyone, whether it's a footy club or another part of life, has to have tough conversations if you want to make progress."
O'Riordan acknowledged it was "really disappointing" for the club to again make headlines for off-field reasons ahead of a final, but backed his players to remain focused.
"For their age, they're an incredibly mature group. After speaking to them this morning the only thing they want to focus on is playing finals at Henson Park in front of a big crowd. That's a sign of the maturity of our group," he said.
"Does it distract us? It's disappointing, but we have our eyes solely fixed on Sunday and the Western Bulldogs."
Asked about the overall state of the club's culture, O'Riordan said he would reserve judgement until the review was completed.
"I'm not dodging the question, but we have bigger fish to fry in terms of trying to get the team ready for Sunday,” he added.
Meanwhile, star midfielder Sofia Hurley is pushing to make a remarkable return in Sunday's elimination final following ankle surgery earlier in the season.
Hurley was named on Sydney's extended bench after reintegrating into training this week and will face a fitness test before final teams are confirmed at 5pm on Friday.
The 22-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a fractured left ankle in the final quarter of the Swans' round five victory over Greater Western Sydney.
Hurley was listed as three to six weeks away as recently as last round before making rapid progress in her rehabilitation, progressing to full-speed running and change-of-direction work this week.
"'Sof' is 50/50 and she has to get through training, if I'm being completely honest," O'Riordan said.
"She's done an incredible job to put herself in the position where she's up for selection, and our medical team has done an incredible job helping her out. If she gets through training, she'll put her hand up for selection."
O'Riordan praised Hurley's work during the seven weeks since the injury.
"I always talk about the hard work our group does too, and no one personifies that more than 'Sof'. What she's done in the last seven weeks to come back from the injury she had is quite remarkable, to be honest," he said.
"I don't think I've seen her miss a day. Whether it's in rehab, recovery or nutrition, the work she's done has given herself a chance."
Asked about potentially bringing Hurley straight back for a final at the expense of a match-fit teammate, O'Riordan said her standing within the side had earned her the opportunity.
"'Sof' is an All-Australian and vice-captain of our footy club, so I think she's earned the stripes and done enough over the last few years to show her value," he said.
"It doesn't diminish what the other players have done. We value every single player in our squad.
"When you have your co-vice-captain potentially fit and ready, I think she probably deserves the right to play."
