The CEO of the Sydney Swans has conceded his club needs ‘some deep work’ and will be subject to an external culture review following a scandal-ridden 2026 season.Swans boss Matthew Pavlich fronted a press conference on Thursday after player Tom Papley allegedly returned a positive roadside drug test on Monday.The news followed an alleged incident at the Pullman East Melbourne hotel which saw five players suspended for breaking conduct rules around drinking and bringing women to their hotel room.Victoria Police is investigating after three women inside the room alleged they were sexually assaulted by players.When asked if there was a broader cultural issue in the club on Thursday, Pavlich confirmed it would be investigated.’I think we’re looking at that right now,’ he said. Swans boss Matthew Pavlich (above) conceded his club needs ‘some deep work’ and will be subject to an external culture review Swans player Tom Papley (above) allegedly returned a positive roadside drug test on Monday’We’ve been identifying that over the last eight weeks. We’ve started some deep work on that with our AFL men’s department, with independent advisers helping us through that. ‘Those are the questions we’re asking ourselves right now and asking our players. We need to be better. ‘This is not something that anyone is stopping short of knowing that we’ve got a long way to go, and we’ve got some deep work to do understanding how we do get better for the future.’ The Swans prides itself on its ‘Bloods culture’ established in the early 2000s.It primarily focuses on putting the team first, selflessness and holding each other accountable.Former player Brandon Jack in August wrote in an opinion piece for The Age that the culture’s ideals was summed up in three words written on the club walls: ‘hard, disciplined, united’. Pavlich said the Swans have ‘started some deep work on that with our AFL men’s department, with independent advisers helping us through that’However, he previously noted interpretations of the ‘Bloods’ could become twisted.’Within the playing group there was bloodthirsty hunger and drive that to an outsider would border on bullying,’ he said.’If nothing else, we were the rigorous enforcers of conformity.’That culture came under scrutiny when Papley was stopped by NSW Police on Lang Road at Centennial Park about 10.30am on Monday for a licence check.Papley was issued with a court attendance notice for allegedly driving while his licence was suspended over an unpaid parking fine.He also underwent a random drug test, which allegedly returned a preliminary positive result for methamphetamine. A second sample was taken for analysis, with the results not expected for at least four weeks. Papley (above) was issued with a court attendance notice for allegedly driving while his licence was suspended over an unpaid parking fine before the drug testThe Swans said Papley informed the club ‘immediately’. The AFL has also been notified.The club added that it would have no further comment pending the outcome of the police process. Papley has not been charged with a drug-driving offence, and Daily Mail does not suggest that the preliminary roadside indication establishes that he committed such an offence.The Swans were premiership contenders this year and reached the preliminary final but then suffered a turbulent end to their season. The club lost to Fremantle on September 18, one month after a night at the Pullman Hotel in east Melbourne saw the team fall under scrutiny.Papley was not involved in that alleged incident. In August, three women alleged they were sexually assaulted by Swans players in a hotel room as the Pullman East Melbourne (above)Victoria Police launched an investigation after a report of sexual assault at the hotel in the early hours of August 17, following the Swans’ match against Essendon. Full details of the allegations have not been made public, and the Victoria Police investigation remains ongoing. Letters from lawyers representing two of the women involved were recently sent to players Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and Nick Blakey.Another player embroiled in the saga, James Jordon, did not receive a letter.All five players have denied the sexual assault allegations and no charges have been laid. Daily Mail does not suggest that any of the players committed the alleged offence. The matter remains under police investigation. It’s understood the women are considering a civil claim.READ MORE: Sydney Swans star Tom Papley allegedly returns positive roadside test for methamphetamine READ MORE: Women involved in Sydney Swans hotel scandal send letters of demand to four current players – as well as the club and a retired player