Triple J radio presenter Dee Salmin has announced she will not attend the 2026 Brownlow Medal count in the wake of sexual assault allegations involving Sydney Swans players.
Salmin, the girlfriend of Collingwood captain Darcy Moore, criticized "the culture surrounding AFL" in a post on her Substack page this week.
The 31-year-old podcaster said that despite enjoying previous AFL awards ceremonies, she decided she could not attend this year's event.
"I've spent the past few weeks thinking about the important conversations we're having about women and the culture surrounding AFL, and I've realised I can't keep encouraging other people to interrogate the systems they participate in, without being willing to interrogate them myself," Salmin wrote.
"I haven't made this decision thinking my absence will be noticed, or a big deal, but as someone who believes in leading with your values I just don't feel comfortable being at an event that doesn't align with mine."
Salmin added that having loved ones within Australian rules football does not exempt the sport from scrutiny.
"Of course, there are people within the sport who I love and respect (my partner being one of them), but that doesn't mean the entire culture is above criticism," she wrote.
"I think when it comes to the AFL's attitude towards women and gender-based violence, there needs to be some serious change."
Broadcaster relationship background and career
Salmin has been in a long-term relationship with Moore, the Collingwood Football Club defender and captain, since 2023. The couple moved in together earlier in 2026.
Before meeting Moore, Salmin was single for three years. She had avoided dating for much of her 20s after tiring of being drawn to partners who were not right for her.
As a radio presenter for national youth network Triple J, Salmin hosts The Sunday Hook Up, a sex education program. Her decision to boycott the AFL's night of nights follows growing scrutiny over player conduct across the league.
Sydney Swans players suspended over hotel incident
Her statement follows the suspension of five Sydney Swans players, Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice, for the rest of the 2026 season.
The club suspended the players after determining they breached behavioral standards during a post-match night out in Melbourne earlier this month.
The incident involved drinking, staying out beyond club expectations, and inviting strippers back to the team's hotel at the Pullman East Melbourne. Women involved subsequently made allegations of sexual assault, which are under investigation by Victoria Police.
Swans chief executive Matthew Pavlich stressed that the suspension was not a ruling on the criminal accusations, but a sanction for breaking internal team rules.
"It was staying out late, it was drinking, it was to continue their night," Pavlich said. "It was bringing women back to the hotel. It was a long way short of what we expect of our players. And we're holding them to a really high standard. But they were well short of anywhere near that standard."
Police investigation and player apology
Reports indicate there have also been allegations of illicit drug use inside the hotel room. The five suspended players have denied criminal wrongdoing and drug use.
Three women have reportedly provided statements to police concerning alleged misconduct. Swans coach Dean Cox, football boss Leon Cameron, head of player wellbeing and development Brett Kirk, and communications chief Tom Chadwick have also reportedly given statements to investigators.
The suspended players have not been charged with any crime. The sanctions have ended their 2026 AFL season, banned them from attending the Brownlow Medal count, and forced the Sydney Swans to confront searching questions about club culture.
All five players issued a joint apology after accepting the club's punishment.
"We are deeply sorry to everyone involved," their statement read. "We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club."
