St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has raised whether the AFL should consider removing Sydney from the 2026 finals series amid the alleged sexual assault investigation.
The Swans, who locked in second spot and two home finals in September, have lost five stars for the remainder of the year, headed by Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey.
Riewoldt believes third spot is now deemed a "premium", with Sydney set to be undermanned for the finals series.
Brisbane and Hawthorn remain in the box seat to face the Swans in the qualifying final, while Geelong, Melbourne and Adelaide can mathematically slide into third position, although it is unlikely.
"It's materially impacted the finals," Riewoldt said on The Agenda Setters.
"Because we've heard from the president saying it's 'torpedoed' their season. Torpedoing your season means you're at the bottom of the ocean, means it's over.
"All of a sudden, there's a premium on whoever can finish third. And if you look at some of the scenarios here, any of Brisbane, Hawthorn and Geelong can potentially move into that third position, play Sydney at the SCG, likely win and go straight through to a home preliminary final.
"All of a sudden there's a premium on whoever can finish third."
🗣️ Nick Riewoldt following Andrew Pridham's 'torpedo' comments. pic.twitter.com/m3MLnre2ub
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 19, 2026
"We have someone second on the ladder, hosting two finals, who can't win the premiership. Their own chairman said their season is being torpedoed. They probably don't want to win the premiership now because of how that will look. Is there a lever the AFL can pull to remove them from finals? We've got a lame duck."
Riewoldt noted the AFL's decision to remove Essendon from the finals in 2013 due to its drug saga. Richmond, in ninth spot, replaced them in the finals.
What is arguably different between the two instances is the notion that all Bombers players, and the entire club, was sanctioned for the decisions made, whereas the Sydney players acted separately away from the club.
