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Some Sydney Swans fans have walked out of the Sydney Cricket Ground in protest during a historic double-header amid a scandal that has shaken Australian football.

Five AFL players – Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon – have been stood down for the rest of the season by the Swans for breaching the club’s standards, including drinking and bringing women back to their hotel after their round 23 win over Essendon.

Victoria police are investigating an alleged sexual assault early on 17 August at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne, where the Sydney Swans were staying.

Sydney’s AFLW side took on Essendon on Sunday at the SCG before the men’s side closed out its regular season against North Melbourne.

But after Sydney’s women’s team beat the Bombers by 24 points, hundreds of Swans fans streamed out before the AFL clash.

In the lead-up, some lifelong Swans fans were wrestling with whether to show their support for the men’s side.

Daniel, a member for 26 years, said he would be staying for both games.

“I will be watching both. It’s ultimately a club. It’s ultimately both teams,” he said. “I think it’s the fact that those five players are not out there which made me comfortable to stay to watch the men’s game.”

Shayal, another Swans member, said she felt a sombre mood on the light rail heading to the game, adding that she would be leaving after the AFLW match.

“I’m only planning to stay for the women’s game and then leaving before the men’s game,” she said.

“I’ve been a member for over 10 years, and it just doesn’t feel right. And I’m not sure if I’ll renew my membership again.”

None of the five Swans players who were stood down have been arrested or charged and there is much detail about the allegations and its links to the team that remains unknown.

Some fans at the AFLW match held signs supporting women, including one that read: “The Swans are nothing without W”.

Inside the SCG the Swans fans made a special effort to loudly cheer every goal, positive play or desperate act from their AFLW team.

But the merchandise stands, and fan gear worn by supporters watching the women play, were a reminder of what has happened away from the on-field action this week.

There was no sign of Swans star Heeney, or popular players including Warner and Blakey, on merchandise for sale or on T-shirts and hats worn by fans dressed in red and white.

Large posters around the stands that would usually feature Heeney heavily have been covered by posters focused on men’s captain Callum Mills or simply “SWANS” in large font.

A banner that read “no more dickheads please” was removed from a stand by SCG security during the AFLW game. The banner appeared to reference Sydney’s “no dickheads” recruiting policy during the time when Paul Roos was coach, part of the club’s renowned “bloods culture”.

Additional reporting by Martin Pegan