Sydney’s AFLW captain Lucy McEvoy says she wants to be a part of any reintegration discussions for the five male players banned over a police investigation but insists the club remains united.

McEvoy was speaking ahead of their historic doubleheader, where the women’s team will be playing at the SCG for just the second time since their inception.

However, the clash has been overshadowed by shocking sexual assault allegations which saw Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice suspended by the club amid an ongoing police investigation.

This masthead is not suggesting the players are guilty of any wrongdoing, just that they are assisting police with inquiries.

McEvoy says she fully supports the action taken by the club.

“On behalf of the playing group, we also support the club in the sanctions that were handed down,” she said.

“To the players, we are incredibly disappointed, as a lot of people were; we know that the actions of those five players are not a reflection of the broader club.

“We will do whatever we can as a club, both programs, to make sure we build back the trust and respect of our members and fans, and the community more broadly.“

McEvoy thanked men’s captain Callum Mills for speaking with the gorup while also saying she would like the club to discuss any reintegration of the five players with the AFLW team.

“We couldn’t have asked for more from Mills ... we’ve felt the support both internally and externally as well,” she said.

“We’re absolutely united and the boys that have been here this week have been incredible and it’s really united us as clubs.

“We’ve just been taking the emotions as they come day by day, but for the time being the reintegration of those players has not been discussed, but we absolutely want to be a part of that discussion.”

Coach Colin O’Riordan said he also supported the sanctions handed down by the club and hoped fans would come out to support the women’s team this weekend.

“The actions of a small number of people have impacted a lot of people, especially the women in our football club and wider community,” he said.

“As a man who was brought up with strong morals and a strong sense of what is right and wrong, (it’s) disappointing to be standing here today and be talking about something like this.

“The sanctions imposed by the club reflect the seriousness in which this manner is being treated, and as a program we fully support these sanctions.

“I’m looking forward to celebrating these incredible women at the SCG on Sunday, and I encourage everyone, all our fans, to turn up and support them, because this bunch of women deserve it.”