Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham said the “Pullman Five” players “strenuously deny the allegations” being investigated by Victoria Police as he addressed the club’s best-and-fairest function on Thursday night.

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were stood down by the Swans following allegations relating to an incident at Melbourne’s Pullman Hotel.

Heeney was named the Bob Skilton medal winner after the five remained eligible to win awards on the night.

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The awards night at Sydney Town Hall opened with a highlights package and on-stage dancers, none of the five players featured in the footage.

Pridham was the first speaker of the night, opening his 16-minute address by referring to the five players and explaining their absence.

He said the players wanted to attend the function but did not want their presence to distract from the other award winners.

Pridham was also among the Swans board members who decided the five players would remain eligible for Thursday night’s awards.

“Their eligibility in tonight’s count is not an endorsement of what happened,” he said.

While the suspended players did not attend, the club publicly backed their legal position, with Pridham saying they should be afforded the “presumption of innocence” despite being stood down.

“This decision reflected only on their breach of club standards and behaviour,” he said.

“At no time have we made any judgment on the allegations currently before police, as this is a separate matter.

“And as we know, the players strenuously deny the allegations.”

Pridham also acknowledged the hurt that remained within the club following the players’ actions, conceding the decision to begin reintegrating them into the squad had not been unanimously supported.

But the chairman said he believed it was the best course of action for the club as it looked to move forward.

“We’ve handed out punishment, and we must begin the process now of healing,” Pridham said.

“We look forward to positively engaging with them all again soon in the period between now and the pre-season.

“We listened to a range of opinions across the club and in the football community, and I very much and genuinely mean that I respect that some people in this room and beyond may not agree with where we’ve landed tonight or where we have landed in many decisions.

“It has been very, very difficult.

“Strong clubs don’t pretend mistakes never happen; they hold people to account, they learn, and they get better.

“And I promise you, I promise you, that is our commitment to you.

“Adversity can break you or it can make you stronger, and my promise to you is that it will make us stronger and more united in the future.”