Updated ,first published
Veteran Sydney Swans midfielder Taylor Adams was knocked unconscious in an incident across the street from Justin Hemmes’ new eastern suburbs venue on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment after being punched in the face during an altercation with two men.
NSW Police said officers were called to a licensed premises at Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay, just after 10pm on Saturday night following reports of an assault.
“Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended and were told a 32-year-old man was involved in an argument and a subsequent assault with two men,” police said.
“The 32-year-old man was allegedly punched in the face by one of the men, causing a small cut to his cheek, as well as being knocked to the ground, where he lost consciousness briefly.
“The men left prior to the arrival of police. Police have been told the two men are not known to the 32-year-old man.”
The Swans have been contacted for comment.
The incident occurred at Tingira Memorial Park, which is in front of Rose Bay beach and across the road from Club Rose Bay, after Adams had left the venue.
Adams has been recovering from a partial Achilles tear he suffered at pre-season training in mid-December after playing only four matches last year due to injury.
He joined the Swans in 2024 after a decade at Collingwood, where he was the club’s best and fairest player in 2020 as well as winning All Australian honours.
He featured in the Magpies’ narrow defeat to West Coast Eagles in the 2018 grand final but missed out on playing in Collingwood’s 2023 premiership win over Brisbane because of a hamstring injury.
Adams was drafted by the Greater Western Sydney Giants in 2011 and played 31 games for the AFL expansion team before heading to Melbourne.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to St Vincents Hospital for further treatment.
Police said inquiries were continuing into the incident.
Club Rose Bay re-opened in December after being given a makeover by Hemmes-led hospitality giant Merivale, which is managing the venue.
It had been closed since August 2024, when it was placed into administration with debts of $600,000.
The redeveloped club features a retro cocktail bar with a 1960s airport theme, a sports bar and a beach bar with a pickleball and basketball court, as well as an Italian restaurant called Notti’s.
The re-opening drew a queue down the street as patrons turned out for a look inside the decades-old RSL club.
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CLARIFICATION
An earlier version of this article said the incident happened inside Club Rose Bay.
Chris Barrett is an investigative reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent, and chief sports reporter.Connect via Twitter or email.
